DO YOU WISH TO ADOPT A CHILD?
ARE YOU CONSIDERING BEING ADOPTED?
DO YOU WISH TO REGISTER A FOREIGN ADOPTION?
DO YOU REQUIRE SOCIAL WORK SERVICES?
DO YOU WISH TO TRACE A BIRTH RELATIVE?
LOOKING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION?
The Adoption Authority has responsibility for providing information and/or tracing services for the following agencies and processes:
· Cúnamh
· Here to Help
· Bethany House
· Denny House
· Fairfield Children’s Home
· PACT (Protestant Adoption Society)
· St. Therese Adoption Society
· The Magdalen Home
· The Nursery Rescue Society
· Private adoptions from 1952-1991
· Private placements
· Family adoptions
· Adoption files for all adoptions 1952 to date
Please note that TUSLA- the Child and Family Agency have responsibility relating to other agencies. A full list of can be found here.
When you are assigned a social worker they will make contact with you and arrange an appointment. The social worker will work with you to ascertain your needs and a plan will be developed to meet these needs in as far as possible.
We highly recommend that you join the National Adoption Contact Preference Register as a first step in seeking information and or contact with a birth relative. The Social Work Team provides a contact and support service for people who have been linked through the National Adoption Contact Preference Register.
The Information and Records section of this website will give you more practical information about how to begin your search for information, particularly if you are unsure of the adoption agency which arranged your adoption, or if you are unsure about whether you were formally adopted.
Pregnant and Thinking about Adoption
If you have just found out that you are pregnant, you may be feeling very confused about the future and the important decisions you have to make. It may be of help if you can discuss the situation with the baby’s father, or with your own family. It may also be useful to talk things over with someone who is not directly involved and to get expert advice on the options open to you. There are a number of agencies that you can access online for information about your options in relation to a crisis pregnancy, such as www.crisispregnancy.ie.
You may be considering looking after your baby yourself, perhaps with the help of your partner or family. If you are considering keeping your baby you must begin to think about the future. You should get advice about benefits and other help that may be available, whether you are planning to make a home with the baby’s father or not. Advice and information can be obtained on and www.treoir.ie and www.citizensinformation.ie.
In considering all of your choices, this web information aims to give you some facts about adoption.
If you are considering adoption there is a number of adoption service providers located around the country. A list of Adoption Service Providers can be found at the end of this page.
Your baby’s future is important so you should not make a hasty decision. Get all the advice you can and consider all the possibilities before you make up your mind.
This web publication by the Adoption Authority of Ireland in April 2016, reviews and updates the previous production by representatives of Cunamh; North Eastern Health Board Child and Family Centre; PACT; Social Work Departments of the Coombe Women’s Hospital, National Maternity Hospital, Rotunda Hospital and TREOIR, which was printed with financial assistance of the Department of Health and Children, Women’s Health Section.
Counselling
Agency adoptions
If you are interested in tracing a relative and would like to avail of counselling this service is generally provided by the agency that arranged the adoption. Many of the old adoption agencies have closed down and their records have been transferred to Tusla - Child and Family Agency. On their website they provide a directory of the adoption agencies they hold records for and the current location of those records. Click here for details.
In the case of adoptions arranged by St Therese Adoption Society which was located in Whitefriar Street, Dublin, the Adoption Authority holds those records.
Private/non-agency adoptions
Some adoptions were not arranged through an agency, for example where a birth mother placed her child directly with the adoptive parents or a third party assisted in placing the child with the adoptive parents. In other cases a child may have been placed with a family member who then adopted them.
If your adoption was arranged by St Therese Adoption Society or was a non agency adoption as described above the social work team in the Adoption Authority will work with you to provide guidance, assistance and counselling while you are working towards contacting or reuniting with your birth family member.
In all other cases you need to contact the agency or body that is holding your records.
Information and Tracing Services
We highly recommend that you join the National Adoption Contact Preference Register as a first step in seeking information and or contact with a birth relative. The Social Work Team provides mediation and counselling for people who have been linked through the National Adoption Contact Preference Register.
The Information and Tracing section of this website will give you more practical information about how to begin your search for information, particularly if you are unsure of the adoption agency which arranged your adoption, or if you are unsure about whether you were formally adopted.
Useful Links
Information for Birth Mothers - preparing for contact with your adult, adopted child - Danú Birth Mothers Group
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2014 offers you access on request, to certain records held by the Authority.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 – 2014 with effect from 21 April 2015.
Section 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, states that the ‘effective date’ for an agency like the Adoption Authority of Ireland shall be 21 April 2008, that is, the Act shall only apply to records created by the Authority after 21 April 2008.
Furthermore, the 2014 Act designates the Adoption Authority of Ireland as a ‘Partially Included Agency’. This means that the Acts do not apply to ‘records concerning, or arising from, the making of an adoption order or in the recognition of an intercountry adoption effected outside the State, within the meaning of the Adoption Act 2010'.
Generally speaking, this means, that the Acts do not apply to individual adoption records but that they do apply to all other records relating to the activities of the Authority and the former Adoption Board from 21 April 2008 onwards.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland publishes a list of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received. You can access the list here.
Requests for the release of information under the Acts should be made in writing to:
Freedom of Information Officer
Adoption Authority of Ireland
Shelbourne House
Shelbourne Road
DUBLIN 4
D04 H6F6
Email: foi@aai.gov.ie
Domestic Infant Adoption
Domestic infant adoption is essentially the process whereby a child is placed with an alternative set of parents or parent. All legal rights, responsibilities and duties are transferred to the new parent(s) and the birth parents relinquish all their legal rights and duties in relation to the child. A child cannot be placed for adoption with prospective adopters without the prior approval of the Adoption Authority. A child may only be placed by Tusla - The Child and Family Agency, or an accredited body. Only prospective adopters with valid Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability may be considered for placement of the child.
In order to begin the adoption process, you will need to get in touch with your local adoption office of Tusla - The Child and Family Agency. The contact details for the local offices can be found here
Who arranges the placement of a child for adoption?
Only registered Accredited Bodies and Tusla - The Child and Family Agency are legally entitled to place children for adoption in Ireland. The approval of the Adoption Authority is required before the child can be placed with its prospective adopter(s). The prospective adopter(s) must hold a valid Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability before a child can be placed with them for adoption.
Minimum Ages
Prospective adopters must be at least 21 years of age.
Upper Ages
The law does not lay down upper age limits for prospective adoptive parents. However, age is a significant factor when assessing suitability to adopt.
Residency of adopters
Prospective adoptive parents must be habitually resident in the State.
Residency of the child
The child must be resident in the State.
Religion
Under law where the prospective adoptive parent/s, the child and every person whose consent to the making of an adoption order is necessary are not all of the same religion (if any), every person whose consent to the making of an adoption order is necessary must know the religion (if any) of each of the prospective adoptive parent/s, when giving consent to the child's adoption.
Suitability
The Adoption Authority cannot make an adoption order unless it is satisfied that the applicant or applicants are suitable persons to have parental rights and duties in respect of the child. The adopting parent(s) must hold a valid Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability at the time the adoption order is to be made.
Statistics
A table outlining the number of infant adoptions in Ireland in recent years is available here.
Information about the steps in a Domestic Infant Adoption
The following notice is written in the plural for ease of reading, both couples and sole applicants may apply.
Persons wishing to have a child placed with them for adoption should apply to one of the registered Accredited Bodies or their local office of Tusla - The Child and Family Agency
Applicants will undergo a detailed assessment process for the purpose of obtaining a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability.
The purpose of this assessment is to establish the suitability of the prospective adoptive parents to adopt a child. It includes a number of joint and individual interviews and visits to the applicants’ home. The social worker will discuss such areas as their relationship, their motives for adopting, their expectations of the child and their ability to help the child to develop knowledge and understanding of his/her natural background.
When an infant is placed for adoption, the birth parent(s) are given the opportunity to outline their preferences of the type of family they would like the infant to be placed with. For example, they may wish that the infant to be brought up in a rural area or in a county other than where they live themselves; or they may express a preference for a couple who have a child already so that their child will have a sibling.
The registered Accredited Body or Tusla - The Child and Family Agency will then examine the profiles of everyone holding a valid Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability. At least three profiles will be provided to the birth parent(s) of the infant without any identifying information. The parent(s) with the social worker will then select one of the profiles. The social worker will contact the relevant prospective adoptive parents to see if they are willing to proceed with the placement of the child into their care.
Once a placement has been successful, the next step for the prospective adoptive parents is to apply to the Adoption Authority for an adoption order. The application is generally made through the registered Accredited Body or Tusla - The Child and Family Agency who has been working with them. They will advise what documents are required for the adoption application.
The Adoption Authority does not usually finalise an adoption until the prospective adoptive parents have had the child in their care for a minimum of six months. The registered Accredited Body or Tusla - The Child and Family Agency are required to submit at least 2 post placement reports to the Authority before the Authority can consider the application for the Adoption Order. The Authority may require the applicants to have the child in their care for a longer period in certain circumstances.
Important Information about Consent
Consent to Placement
Where the child's adoption is being arranged by a registered Accredited Body or Tusla - The Child and Family Agency, the mother, father (where he is a guardian) or other legal guardian must give an initial consent or agreement to the placing of the child for adoption by that body. This may be given at any time after the birth of the child.
Consent to Adoption Order
The mother, father (where he is a guardian) or other legal guardian must give consent to the making of the adoption order. Consent to the making of an adoption order may not be given until the child is at least six weeks old. It may not be given earlier than three months before the date of the application for the adoption order. Consent to the making of an adoption order must be given in a particular format and following a particular procedure which is set down in legislation.
Consent to the making of an adoption order may be withdrawn at any time before the making of the adoption order.
Reclaim of child
If a mother changes her mind about adoption before the making of the adoption order and seeks to reclaim her child but the adopting parents refuse to give up the child, then it is open to her to institute legal proceedings to have custody of the child restored to her.
Dispensing with consent
In certain circumstances where the Authority is satisfied that the person whose consent is required is incapable by reason of mental infirmity of giving consent or cannot be found an application may be made to the High Court to dispense with the consent to allow the adoption order to be made. The High Court considers the best interests of the child before making an order.
No consent
Where a mother who has initially agreed to the placing of her child for adoption fails, neglects or refuses to give her consent to the making of an adoption order, or withdraws a consent already given, it is open to the adopting parents, if they have applied for an adoption order for the child, to apply to the High Court for an order allowing the adoption to proceed. The High Court considers the best interests of the child before making an order.
Long Term Foster Care to Adoption
Long Term Foster Care to Adoption - This type of adoption occurs where a child has been placed with a person or couple initially in a foster care situation because the birth mother/parents are unsure of what decision they wish to make about caring for the child themselves or allowing the child to be adopted. In other circumstances the child may have been placed with foster parents on foot of Tusla - The Child and Family Agency having obtained a Care Order for the child due to the circumstances around the birth parents/family. After a period of time it becomes clear through the Child Care Review/Plan that it will not be possible for the child to be returned to his/her birth parents/family and that the child’s best interests would be served by being adopted.
Where a child is in a long term fostering situation it may become clear after a period through the Child Care Review/Plan that it will not be possible for the child to be returned to his/her birth parents/family and that the child’s best interests would be served by being adopted by their foster parent(s).
A child cannot be adopted once they turn 18 years of age. The adoption process can take a long time so an application should be made before the child turns 16.
In order to begin the adoption process, you should discuss it with your assigned fostering social worker, or get in touch with your local adoption office of Tusla- The Child and Family Agency. The contact details for local offices can be found here.
The birth mother’s consent to the adoption is required. In some cases, the birth mother may be objecting to the proposed adoption or may not be contactable to give her consent. Where the birth father is a legal guardian his consent is also required.
Where the birth father of the child is not a legal guardian he is entitled to be notified and consulted about the application for adoption. This may result in a number of outcomes including:
(i) The birth father is notified and has no objection.
(ii) The birth father is notified and does object – he may or may not decide to make an application to the district court for a guardianship order.
(iii) The birth father is identified but cannot be located.
(iv) The birth father cannot be identified and therefore cannot be notified – in this circumstance the Adoption Authority must obtain an order from the High Court to allow an adoption order to be made without consultation of the birth father.
(v) Circumstances are such that it is deemed inappropriate to notify the birth father if he is known - in this circumstance the Adoption Authority must obtain an order from the High Court to allow an adoption order to be made without consultation of the birth father.
(vi) The birth father is deceased. In this case the birth father cannot be notified or consulted. The birth father’s death certificate and evidence linking him to the child is required before the application can proceed.
Where the necessary consents to the adoption have not been obtained the application cannot proceed.
It is open to the applicants applying to adopt the child to make an application to the High Court to dispense with the consent of the birth mother and/or birth father as necessary.
Where an application has been made to court, either by the parties to the adoption or by the Adoption Authority, the adoption application is suspended until the court proceedings are finalised.
Minimum Ages
Prospective adopters must be at least 21 years of age.
Upper Ages
The law does not lay down upper age limits for prospective adoptive parents. However, age is a significant factor when assessing suitability to adopt.
Residency of adopters
Prospective adoptive parents must be habitually resident in the State.
Residency of the child
The child must be resident in the State.
Religion
Under law where the prospective adoptive parent/s, the child and every person whose consent to the making of an adoption order is necessary are not all of the same religion (if any), every person whose consent to the making of an adoption order is necessary must know the religion (if any) of each of the prospective adoptive parent/s, when giving consent to the child's adoption.
Suitability
The Adoption Authority cannot make an adoption order unless it is satisfied that each of the adopting parents is a suitable person to have parental rights and duties in respect of the child. The adopting parents must hold a valid Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability at the time the adoption order is to be made.
Stepfamily
Stepfamily in the context of adoption generally refers to families formed when the birth mother of a child marries/co-habits with a man who is not the birth father of that child, and the child is living with this couple, or in a small number of cases where the child is living with the birth father whose wife/partner wishes to adopt the child. Applications are made in these cases so that the birth parent’s spouse/partner can establish legal rights in respect of the child within the family unit. This also ensures the child’s inheritance rights within the family. The making of an adoption order in these cases involves the birth parent giving up sole legal rights in respect of the child and, with his or her spouse/partner, taking on joint legal rights, responsibilities and guardianship in respect of the child.
Where a child is being adopted by its mother's husband or partner (this is the case in the vast majority of step-parent applications), if the birth father is a legal guardian of the child his consent is required before the adoption can proceed. If he gives his consent to the adoption, the guardianship order must be discharged before the adoption can proceed. If he does not consent to the adoption, it cannot proceed but it is open to the birth mother to apply to the district court to have the guardianship order discharged.
Where the birth father of the child is not a legal guardian he is entitled to be notified and consulted about the application for adoption. This may result in a number of outcomes including:
(i) The birth father is notified and has no objection.
(ii) The birth father is notified and does object – he may or may not decide to make an application to the district court for a guardianship order.
(iii) The birth father is identified but cannot be located.
(iv) The birth father cannot be identified and therefore cannot be notified – in this circumstance the Adoption Authority must obtain an order from the High Court to allow an adoption order to be made without consultation of the birth father.
(v) Circumstances are such that it is deemed inappropriate to notify the birth father if he is known - in this circumstance the Adoption Authority must obtain an order from the High Court to allow an adoption order to be made without consultation of the birth father.
(vi) The birth father is deceased. In this case the birth father cannot be notified or consulted. The birth father’s death certificate and evidence linking him to the child is required before the application can proceed.
Where an application has been made to court, either by the parties to the adoption or by the Adoption Authority, the adoption application is suspended until the court proceedings are finalised.
When the consent and or notification of the birth father issue have been dealt with appropriately the application can proceed.
Residency of adopters
Prospective adoptive parents must be habitually resident in the State.
Residency of the child
The child must be resident in the State.
Religion
Under law, where the prospective adoptive parent(s), the child and every person whose consent to the making of an adoption order is necessary are not all of the same religion (if any), every person whose consent to the making of an adoption order is necessary must know the religion (if any) of each of the prospective adoptive parent(s), when giving consent to the child's adoption.
Suitability
The Adoption Authority cannot make an adoption order unless it is satisfied that each of the adopting parents is a suitable person to have parental rights and duties in respect of the child. The adopting parents must hold a valid Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability at the time the adoption order is to be made.
Birth father and his wife adopting
Where a child is being adopted by the birth father's wife or partner, the consent of the birth mother is required in order to proceed as she is a legal guardian of the child.
If the birth mother is not consenting to the adoption the application cannot proceed.
Where the birth mother is deceased her death certificate will be required in order for the application to proceed.
Step Family
Stepfamily in the context of adoption generally refers to families formed when the birth mother of a child marries a man who is not the birth father of that child, and the child is living with this married couple, or in a small number of cases where the child is living with the birth father who wishes to adopt the child with his wife. Applications are made in these cases so that the birth parent’s spouse can establish legal rights in respect of the child within the family unit. This also ensures the child’s inheritance rights within the family. The making of an adoption order in these cases involves the birth parent giving up sole legal rights in respect of the child and, with his or her spouse, taking on joint legal rights, responsibilities and guardianship in respect of the child.
Where a child is being adopted by its mother and her husband (this is the case in the vast majority of stepparent applications) if the birth father is a legal guardian of the child his consent is required before the adoption can proceed. If he gives his consent to the adoption, the guardianship order must be discharged before the adoption can proceed. If he does not consent to the adoption, it cannot proceed but it is open to the birth mother to apply to the district court to have the guardianship order discharged.
Where the birth father of the child is not a legal guardian he is entitled to be notified and consulted about the application for adoption. This may result in a number of outcomes including:
(i)The birth father is notified and has no objection.
(ii) The birth father is notified and does object – he may or may not decide to make an application to the district court for a guardianship order.
(iii) The birth father is identified but cannot be located.
(iv)The birth father cannot be identified and therefore cannot be notified – in this circumstance the Adoption Authority must obtain an order from the High Court to allow an adoption order to be made without consultation of the birth father.
(v) Circumstances are such that it is deemed inappropriate to notify the birth father if he is known - in this circumstance the Adoption Authority must obtain an order from the High Court to allow an adoption order to be made without consultation of the birth father.
(vi) The birth father is deceased. In this case the birth father cannot be notified or consulted. The birth father’s death certificate and evidence linking him to the child is required before the application can proceed.
Where an application has been made to court, either by the parties to the adoption or by the Adoption Authority, the adoption application is suspended until the court proceedings are finalised.
When the consent and or notification of the birth father issue have been dealt with appropriately the application can proceed.
Residency of adopters
Prospective adoptive parents must be habitually resident in the State.
Residency of the child
The child must be resident in the State.
Religion
Where the prospective adoptive parent(s), the child and the parent(s) are not all of the same religion, the parent(s) must know the religion (if any) of each of the adopting parents when giving consent to the child's adoption.
Suitability
The Adoption Authority cannot make an adoption order unless it is satisfied that each of the adopting parents is a suitable person to have parental rights and duties in respect of the child. The adopting parents must hold a valid Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability at the time the adoption order is to be made.
Birth father and his wife adopting
Where a child is being adopted by his birth father and birth father’s wife, the consent of the birth mother is required in order to proceed as she is a legal guardian of the child.
If the birth mother is not consenting to the adoption the application cannot proceed.
Where the birth mother is deceased her death certificate will be required in order for the application to proceed.
Information for Adopted People
There are two steps that you can take to begin the process.
Step 1:
A good first step in this process is to join the Contact Preference Register. By joining the register you will be able to:
- Make it known that you are open to contact
- Lodge information for the person you have named on your application
- Lodge an item for the person you have named on your application, such as a photograph or family heirloom
- Make it known that you would like your privacy respected
Please see our section on the Contact Preference Register for more information.
Step 2:
The second step would to request a trace for the person you are seeking.
The Birth Information and Tracing Act allows those affected by adoption, including those who may have been boarded/nursed out or whose birth may have been illegal registered, to begin the tracing process. This service is now available, please visit the following website for further information:
www.birthinfo.ie
Please note, all tracing applicatins must be directed to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). Links to relevant application forms and portal can be found at the above website.
Steps followed by the Adoption Authority where an adopted person has requested a copy of their original birth certificate.
The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 enshrines in law the importance of a person knowing their origins. The legislation provides for the full release of identity information to all relevant persons aged 16 years or over, as well as to next of kin and children of relevant persons in certain circumstances. Identity information includes birth certificates, birth information, early life information, care information, incorrect birth registration information and medical information as defined in the legislation.
The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 is now signed into law and all relevant services are available.
The first phase allowed for the opening of the new Contact Preference Register (CPR). We would recommend that you join the CPR as it is a good first step toward beginning the post-adoption process.
Please see our section on the Contact Preference Register for more information.
Access to Birth Information and the option to apply for tracing services are now available.
For further information on how to apply for these services, please visit the following website:
Please note, all tracing applications must be directed to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). Links to relevant application forms and portal can be found at the above website.
Information for Birth Parents
There are two steps that you can take to begin the process
Step 1:
A good first step in this process is to join the Contact Preference Register. By joining the register you will be able to:
- Make it known that you are open to contact
- Lodge information for the person you have named on your application
- Lodge an item for the person you have named on your application, such as a photograph or family heirloom
- Make it known that you would like your privacy respected
Please see our section on the Contact Preference Register for more information.
Step 2:
The second step would to request a trace for the person you are seeking.
The Birth Information and Tracing Act allows those affected by adoption, including those who may have been boarded/nursed out or whose birth may have been illegal registered, to begin the tracing process. This service is now available, please visit the following website for further information:
Please note, all tracing applications must be directed to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). Links to relevant application forms and portal can be found at the above website.
The Contact Preference Register
The Contact Preference Register (CPR) is a statutory register for a people who would like to make their contact preferences known, share or seek information, or lodge an item for a person.
The Adoption Authority can accept CPR applications from the following:
- An adopted person (a legally recognised adoption).
- A person who was nursed or boarded out (a care arrangement that may have been organised by the State).
- A person who may have spent time in a Mother and Baby Home or other institution. This may have been before a formal adoption took place or a care arrangement was organised. It includes mothers and children.
- A person whose birth may have been illegally registered (where a birth was illegally registered and no formal adoption took place).
- Mother or father of an adopted person (where either parent placed a child for adoption either formally or through a care arrangement).
- Sister or brother of an adopted person (where a brother or sister has been placed for adoption either formally or through a care arrangement).
- Grandparent, aunt, uncle or first cousin of an adopted person (where a relative has been placed for adoption either formally or through a care arrangement).
- Adoptive parent of an adopted child under 18.
- Adoptive parent of an adopted person or child who is deceased.
- A friend of an adoptee or mother or father who is deceased.
- Guardian or caregiver of an adoptive person or a person placed through a care arrangement.
How to join the CPR:
There are a number of ways you can join the CPR. If you have access to a computer you can complete an online CPR application form here:
https://www.birthinfo.ie/what-options-do-i-have/register-or-update-my-contact-preferences
Alternatively, you can download the form below:
If you are:
- an adopted person
- a person who was nursed or boarded our
- a person who may have spent time in a Mother and Baby Home or other instution
- a person whose birth may have been illegally registered
If you are:
- a mother or father of an adopted person
- a sister or brother of an adopted person
- a grandparent, aunt, uncle or first cousin of an adopted person
- an adoptive parent of an adoptive child (under the age of 18)
- an adoptive parent of an adopted adult or child who is deceased
- a guardian or caregiver of an adopted person
- a friend of an adopted person
The completed form can be attached to an email or printed out and sent to us:
By email:
You can email a copy of your application form and a copy of photographic ID to:
Using our Post office box address:
You can complete an application form and post it, together with a copy of your photographic ID to:
PO Box 9957, Dublin 4.
If you are having trouble with our online forms please email us your postal address and we will happily post a form out to you.
If I joined the National Adoption Contact Preference Register (NACPR) do I need to join the CPR:
If you previously joined the NACPR, we will automatically move your details to the CPR. This includes the contact preferences you chose on your application form for the NACPR. For example, if you chose the no contact option on the NACPR, this preference will be carried over to the CPR.
If you would like to update your contact preferences or any other details, like your address or phone number, please join the CPR by filling out an application form and returning it to the Adoption Authority. When we receive it, we will update your details accordingly.
Please read our CPR information leaflet for further information.
