Make a Freedom of Information Request
The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to access certain records held by the Adoption Authority. It came into effect in 1998 and applies to the Authority from 2008 onwards.
What can I ask for?
You can ask for any records relating to you personally, that may be held by the Adoption Authority of Ireland, with the exception of records concerning, or arising from, the making of an adoption order or the recognition of an intercountry adoption effected outside the State, within the meaning of the Adoption Act 2010.
If you are an adoptee, a person who was fostered (nursed out/boarded out), or the subject of an illegal birth registration seeking access to your records or regarding time spent as a resident in a Mother and Baby Home or a County Home, please make a birth information request.
Queries or requests for information, as opposed to requests for records, are not valid requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Generally speaking, this means that the Act does not apply to individual adoption records but it does apply to all other records relating to the activities of the Authority and the former Adoption Board (‘An Bord Uchtála’) from 21 April 2008 onwards.
Information on fees
| Description | Fees |
|---|---|
| There is no fee for making an application. | No fee |
| There is a minimum threshold below which no search, retrieval (i.e. the amount of staff time) and photocopying fees can be charged. If the charge reaches this figure, full fees will apply. | €101 |
| There is a cap on the total amount of search, retrieval and copying fees that can be charged by the Authority. | €500 |
| If the Authority estimates search, retrieval and photocopying fees will total this amount the Authority may refuse to process a request. | €700 |
| The fee for an internal review, by a higher graded member of staff in the Authority under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2014. | €30 (€10 for medical cardholders and their dependents) |
| The fee for appeals to the Information Commissioner under Section 22 of the FOI Act 2014. | €50 (€15 for medical cardholders and their dependents) |
Step-by-step guide to Making a Freedom of Information Request
-
1 Prepare photo ID
Your photo identification (ID) will be checked to verify your identity.
It must be a valid form of ID and in date. We accept most photographic and legal documents as proof of identity. Before we can give you the personal information we might have, we need a copy of one of the following:
- Passport
- Public services card
- Garda age card
- Irish driving licence (including provisional)
Once your ID is verified, it will be deleted and will not be retained by the Adoption Authority.
-
2 Prepare supporting documentation (if applicable)
Letter of consent
If somebody is assisting you in making the application, there is a requirement for you to attach a signed and dated letter of consent naming and giving the person who is assisting you permission to act on your behalf.
A copy of valid and in-date photographic ID for the person assisting with the application will also need to be attached to the application.
Death certificate and proof of relationship
If you are the child of a deceased relevant person and you are applying for their information, you will be required to attach a copy of their death certificate or death notice and provide proof of your relationship to them such as a copy of your birth certificate.
-
3 Complete and submit an application form
Complete the online application form which can be found below.
Please provide as much information in the request as you can, which may assist the Adoption Authority staff to locate records.
Remember to attach:
- A copy of valid and in date photographic ID; and
- If applicable, any other supporting documents required (see number 2 above).
Finally, please digitally sign and date the application.
-
4 Acknowledgment received
A written acknowledgment will be sent within 10 working days of the receipt of the application with a unique reference number.
When you have made a request for personal information, a staff member from the Adoption Authority will acknowledge your correspondence/request.They will tell you what is happening and how long it will take to get your information. You are entitled to a response within 30 days (or within 90 days when requests are numerous or complex).
They may ask you for more information to verify your identity, or to find what you have asked for, or to direct you to the correct person or organisation who can deal with your request.
-
5 Application is processed
A decision on your application will normally be made within 20 working days (unless an extension is invoked).
If your request is refused you will be given reasons for the refusal.
-
6 Records are released
Copies of the records you have requested, will be released, or part released to you.
The information available will vary from person to person, depending on the type, quality and number of records held by the Adoption Authority.
For some, this could mean there are detailed records available, while unfortunately for others, there may be little or no information available.
Most requests will be completed within four weeks. If the request necessitates additional time to complete the AAI can extend the deadline by an additional four weeks. Requesters will be notified in such situations.
-
7 Request for internal review (if required)
If:
- Your request was refused or only part-granted;
- You are not satisfied with the form of access or with fees applied;
- You did not receive a decision within 20 working days of receipt of your request (this is treated as a refusal)
then you may request to internal review.
You should make you request for an internal review within four weeks from the date of the notification of decision issued to you by the Adoption Authority.
The internal review will involve a reconsideration of the matter by a more senior member of the staff of the Authority.
-
8 Review by the information commissioner
If you are not satisfied with the internal review decision, you may apply to the Office of the Information Commissioner.
You may also apply if you did not receive an internal review decision within three weeks.
NB There is no fee if the review concerns only your own personal information or a fee/deposit decision.
Office of the Information Commissioner
6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773
Phone: 353 1 639 5689
Email: info@oic.ie
Website: www.oic.ie
Apply by post
If it is easier for you to complete a hardcopy form, you can contact the Adoption Authority at 01 2309 300 to ask for a freedom of information request form to be posted to you.
Call the AAI