Access to adoption records
You may be able to apply for information about the identity of the birth parent(s) or an adopted person. To do this, you will need to complete an application form with Adoption and Permanent Care Services (or from the interstate or overseas agency where the adoption was processed).
If information is available, Adoption and Permanent Care Services will send you a package of information and documentation. It will include an authorisation allowing you to purchase information from us (the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages).
This page explains how to apply for:
- an adopted person's certificate (post-adoption)
- a pre-adoption entry in the birth register
- a search for more information about birth parents' marriage or death (if Queensland)
- a birth parent's certificate.
It also provides information about the fees for these services and how to contact or submit your application to us.
Getting an adopted person’s certificate
A person may be eligible to apply for information from the adopted child's entry in the register with authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services.
For the birth parent(s) or other eligible person, this will be a post-adoption birth certificate. This certificate can’t be used for identification purposes and will be stamped ‘Not to be used for official purposes’.
An adopted person (or their adoptive parent) who needs their legal identity document must apply for an official birth certificate—this will not be stamped.
Finding pre-adoption information in the birth register
The adopted person, a birth parent or an eligible relative may apply for the pre-adoption information if they have authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services.
The pre-adoption information will come in the form of a certificate that can’t be used for identification purposes. It will be stamped ‘Not to be used for official purposes’.
If the adoption took place outside of Queensland, contact the registering authority interstate or overseas.
Searching for more information
With authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services, you may apply to find out what related Queensland marriage and death information is available.
If the person you are looking for was married or passed away interstate or overseas, we will not have the information.
Information available
Search results for a marriage will include:
- parties' names
- date and place
- address of the relevant person(s) at time of marriage
Search results for a death will include:
- name
- date and place
- cause of death
- burial or cremation details.
If the birth father (or parent) is not shown on the entry in the birth register, we may not be able to search for the marriage or death information.
Getting a birth parent’s certificate
An adopted person (or an eligible relative) can apply for the birth parents' Queensland birth certificate(s) if they have authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services.
The certificate we issue can’t be used for identification purposes and will be stamped ‘Not to be used for official purposes’.
How to apply
To apply for eligible certificates and search results:
- Get an authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services (or from the interstate or overseas agency where the adoption was processed).
- Fill in the adoption entry information application form.
- Have your proof of ID documents and the authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
- Submit your application form, authorisation and proof of ID documents to us by post or in person.
- We will review your application and advise you of the total amount for your order (and how to pay).
Fill in the access to adoption records application form
Submit by post
Post your completed application form with your certified copy of the authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services and supporting documents to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Submit in person
Visit the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane with the completed application form, your original authorisation from Adoption and Permanent Care Services and original proof of ID documents.
Pay the fee
The total estimated cost is calculated when you fill in the application form online. We will email you after we have reviewed your application with the correct amount. You can pay:
- online
- by credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
- at the customer service centre
- by EFTPOS or credit card
- with a business account cheque
- with a bank cheque
- with a money order
- through the mail
- within Australia
- by credit card
- with a business account cheque
- with a bank cheque
- with a money order
- from overseas
- by credit card.
We will accept cash at the customer service centre but prefer contactless payments such as EFTPOS or credit card.
We do not accept personal cheques or cheques issued from outside Australia (in any currency).
Make Australian-drawn cheques and money orders payable to 'Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.
Application fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pre-adoption certificate (standard postage included) | $54.40 |
| Official birth certificate (standard postage included) | $54.40 |
| Search fee (under 1 name for each event) | $27.10 |
| Each additional name searched (for each event) | $27.10 |
Postage fees
Standard postage is included in the price when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can choose to have your certificate sent by express or registered post for a fee.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Express post | $7.45 |
| Registered post | $5.55 |
| International registered mail | $17.70 |
We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post to ensure the delivery of your certificate can be tracked and delivered to you more securely within Australia.
International registered mail is used for overseas deliveries. However, this can’t be tracked and signing on delivery is only available in some countries.
Contact us
Online: our general enquiry form.
By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
International +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)
(Phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm)
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.