Apply for a Domestic Tracing Service

If you are actively seeking to locate and make contact with a birth relative, a tracing service is available to you. 

The tracing service can assist with sharing information while supporting a level of contact (if any) that both you and the person you are seeking are comfortable with.

Who can apply?

You can apply for a tracing service if you are a person in one of the following three categories:

1. A relevant person*

  • If you were adopted in Ireland and are over 18 years of age
  • If you were born in Ireland but adopted outside the state
  • If you were in a mother and baby home, county home or institution
  • If you were illegally registered
  • If you suspect that you were illegally registered
  • If you were boarded out or nursed out

2. A birth relative of a relevant* person

3. A relative

*A relevant person is the term used in the legislation to describe people who can apply for information.

 

Apply for a tracing service online

  1. Apply for a tracing service on the Tusla portal.
  2. Tusla will initially assess your tracing request.
  3. Either Tusla or the Adoption Authority of Ireland will carry out the trace, dependent on where your records are held.

Apply on the Tusla portal
 

Postal applications

Completing the application online is the quickest and most secure way for you to apply.

Alternatively, you can send your application by post to:

Tusla Birth Information and Tracing Contact Support Centre
PO Box 13018
Dublin 15
Ireland.

If you need assistance filling in your application form, please contact Tusla on 0818 44 55 00

Application forms