The Information & Records Unit is here to assist you with post-adoption information and services. People have many different reasons for contacting us. Some are looking for access to their records, including their original birth certificate. Others may want to join the Contact Preference Register to register a preference for privacy. You may just need information on where to start with this journey of exploration into your past.
The Birth Information and Tracing Act was passed in July 2022. This means that the Contact Preference Register is open for applications. Access to Birth, Care and Early Life Information is now available, as well the option to apply for tracing services.
For more information on Birth Information and Tracing Act please visit www.birthinfo.ie
Contact the Information and Records Unit:
Telephone: 01 2309300 (option 1)
Email: records@aai.gov.ie
For further information, including how you can access Birth Information and/or apply for tracing services or join the Contact Preference Register, please visit www.birthinfo.ie
INFORMATION FOR AN ADOPTED PERSON
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 be 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 illegally 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.
You may be thinking about taking the first step towards contact with your family. We welcome any person who was adopted, nursed/boarded out, or illegally registered to seek information concerning their background.
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Information for Birth Parents
You may be thinking about taking the first step towards contact with your son or daughter. We welcome any contact from birth parents seeking information on their adopted sons or daughters.
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 be 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 illegally 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.
INFORMATION FOR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS
Information for other family members:
If you are not a birth parent but you believe a family member was adopted or boarded/nursed out, we would suggest you join the Contact Preference Register. By joining the register you can make your contact preferences known should your family member come forward in the future. You can also share any background or medical information that could be of importance to your family member.
You can find out more about the CPR and how to join under the Contact Preference Register (CPR) section.
If you are the son or daughter of an adoptee who is known to be deceased, you can submit an application for their information. In order to avail of this service you will need to provide proof of death for the adoptee and a birth certificate confirming your relationship to the deceased.
All other relatives can apply for a tracing service through the Child and Family Agency (Tusla).
Please visit the Birth Information and Tracing website for further information:
If you are not a birth parent but you believe a family member was adopted or boarded/nursed out, we would suggest you join the Contact Preference Register.
CONTACT PREFERENCE REGISTER
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:
If you have access to a computer you can complete an online CPR application form here or if it’s easier for you to complete a form offline, you can contact us at 01 2309 300 (option 1) to ask us to post you a copy of a CPR Application Form.
If you are:
- an adopted person
- a person who was nursed or boarded out
- a person who may have spent time in a Mother and Baby Home or other institution
- a person whose birth may have been illegally registered
You should complete Form A here online or phone us at 01 2309 300 (option 1) to ask us to post a CPR Adoptee Application Form A to you.
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
You should complete Form B here online or phone us at 01 2309 300 (option 1) to ask us to post a CPR Adoptee Application Form B to you.
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.
ACCESS TO BIRTH INFORMATION
Records and Information
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 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.
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.
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.
Provision of Information
We are happy to talk to people on the phone but requests for information must be made in writing and the person making the request must provide identification. No personal information will be provided over the phone.
We require one of the following forms of identification with a written request:
Passport
Drivers Licence or Learner Permit
Garda Age Card
Photocopies of your chosen form of identification can be sent by post, or a scanned copy can be emailed to us. Please do not send original documents to us with your requests.
There may be a number of terms or expressions used in this website which are unfamiliar to you. To assist we have produced a glossary which explains the most frequently used ones. Please click here
The address for email requests is records@aai.gov.ie
The address for postal requests is:
Information & Records Unit
Adoption Authority
Shelbourne House
Shelbourne Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
D04 H6F6
OR
P.O. Box 9957
Dublin 4
