Advance Notice Register

Identifying information (an Adoption Information Certificate) can be released when an adopted person has reached the age of 18 years. For adoptions made before 2010 it is possible for adoptive parents, birth parents and adopted persons to lodge an Advance Notice which delays the release of identifying information about them.

Why an Advance Notice may have been lodged

An adopted person may wish to prepare for the release of identifying information or to delay possible contact from a birth relative for example, if they will be doing the HSC when they turn 18.

A birth parent may need time to prepare for the release of identifying information or possible contact by the adopted person. They may have kept the adoption a secret and now need to tell their partner, their children or other close family members.

Adoptive parents may wish to prepare their adult son or daughter for the release of identifying information or possible contact. For instance, the adopted person may not be aware of their adoption.

To register an Advance Notice

An Advance Notice registration can be lodged by the following people:

• birth fathers – if their name appears on the adopted child’s original birth certificate (issued before the adoption)
• birth mothers
• adoptive parents
• adopted persons from the age of 17 years and 6 months.

Applicants are encouraged to state their reason for doing so on the registration form for the benefit of the affected person.

You will need to:

1. download and complete the Advance Notice Register application form (PDF, 214.9 KB)
2. provide two forms of *certified identification at least one of which includes your signature. Examples of identity documents include photo driver’s license, Medicare card, passport, birth certificate, health care or pension card and student card.
3. provide *certified evidence of change of name, if applicable. If you have changed your name please provide either; marriage certificate, change of name certificate or a statutory declaration explaining why you cannot provide documents showing your change of name and how you did this.
4. attach a message / letter to the application if you want to leave a message on the RIR.

*All identification must be certified as a ‘true copy of the original document’. The following people can certify copies of your original documents:

• a justice of the peace
• caseworker of an adoption agency
• doctor
• solicitor
• chemist
• police officer.

Fees

There is no fee payable to register an Advance Notice.

How an Advance Notice works

When an application is made for an Adoption Information Certificate (PDF, 303.7 KB) the applicant is advised in writing that an Advance Notice is in effect and that the issue of the Adoption Information Certificate will be delayed for two months.

At the same time the person who lodged the Advance Notice is advised that access to an Adoption Information Certificate has been sought and that it will be released at the end of the specified period.

The period of delay before the Adoption Information Certificate is released is two months, unless there are special reasons requiring a longer period. The maximum extension of time that can be given is another two months, in which case a period of four months altogether would pass before the Adoption Information Certificate is released.

Remove your name from the Advance Notice Register

You may remove your Advance Notice at any time. If you have previously lodged an Advance Notice and you now wish to remove or vary it, please submit your wishes in writing to the DCJ Adoption Information Unit with two forms of certified identification.