access to information relating to their identity at birth,
it will allow eligible people to trace relatives for the purpose of contact or seeking or sharing information.
In addition to this the Act also established in law a contact preference register.

2. Who can apply for information under the Act?

The following persons are eligible for information under the Act:

A relevant person listed below:

an adopted person
a person who is, or suspects they are, the subject of an illegal birth registration (pre-1980)
a person who was nursed out or boarded out or suspects they may have been nursed out or boarded out (pre-1991)
a person who does not fall into any of the above categories but who resided as a child in an institution (as outlined in the Act)

* The applicant must be over 16 years to apply for information under the Act and over 18 years to apply for a tracing service.

A qualifying person

A qualifying person is a son/daughter of a deceased relevant person

A qualifying relative

A qualifying relative is a next of kin of a relevant person where the relevant person died as a child while resident in a mother and baby home or institution.

3. What information can I apply for under the new Act?

For more information, visit our What information can I apply for? page.

A relevant person can apply for:

birth certificate,
birth information,
early life information,
care information and
medical information

A qualifying person (a qualifying person is a son/daughter of a deceased relevant person) OR a qualifying relative (a qualifying relative is a next of kin of a relevant person where the relevant person died as a child while resident in a mother and baby home or institution) can apply for all information except the relevant person’s Birth Certificate.

It is important to note that in some cases the information that you are seeking may not exist or may contain inaccurate or false information, so the accuracy of the information on record cannot be guaranteed.

4. Where can I get my Birth Certificate?

While the Adoption Authority hold a copy of the Birth Certificate for adopted people, Tusla generally does not have Birth Certificates on file. You can obtain a copy of your birth certificate by making an application to the General Register Office for your Birth Certificate. Apply on line https://www.gov.ie/en/service/124a70-apply-for-certificates/

5. What if I was subject to an illegal birth registration

If you suspect or were subject to an illegal birth registration and would like to have your Birth Certificate amended or for further information, please contact the General Registrar Office. Email: gro@welfare.ie.

6. What if my birth wasn’t registered?

If your birth was not registered, you can contact Tusla for information and support. Please click here for contact details.

7. I have previously been provided with information, what further information can I receive?

This new Act will entitle you to more personal information than you received previously. It now includes identifying information - for example, your birth name; your mother’s name; her address at the time you were adopted; any details with respect to your birth father; your grandparents, and any other information can now be released. You can also apply for your original Birth Certificate. (please visit our What information can I apply for? page for more information).

8. Can I still apply if I am not certain of the exact dates/years and names used at the time of my birth?

This is quite common, so don’t worry if you don’t have the exact details. However, when making an application, please fill in as much information as you can. When we receive your application form, we will review it and contact you if we need to clarify any details.

9. As a parent, how much of my information will be released and what say do I have?

The new Act allows for anyone who is:

adopted or
boarded out/at nurse or
illegally registered
resident as child in county home/institution
Or suspects that they may be one of the above

to receive:

their Birth Certificate,
birth information,
early life information,
care information,
medical information,
medical information relating to a genetic relative
Incorrect/Illegal/ unlawful birth registration information

This means they are entitled to whatever information is held by us, which will include the name of their mother/father; the mother’s/father’s address and age at the time of their birth; the mother’s/father’s date of birth, and any other family information that may be held on record.

While this information, if held will be released, whether you would, or would not like, to be contacted by the person seeking this information we encourage you to register this view on the CONTACT PREFERENCE REGISTER.

10. Can I access any family medical history?

The new Act will allow you to access medical information from a genetic relative which is relevant to your medical history or health where it is held on the records.

This information can only be released to you through your nominated medical practitioner, such as a GP. The medical information released to you will not include identifying details about your relative.

11. I was adopted, or I am a birth parent, I would like to apply for counselling.

If you are a birth mother or relevant person and would like to talk to someone about the new legislation, you can avail of the dedicated counselling services provided through Tusla and Barnardos.

For more information on counselling services please see here.

12. Will I get my information immediately?

Applications will be accepted for information from October 2022. On receipt of a complete application, we will process this in line with the Act.

Therefore, you should expect to get your information within 30 days of application, unless the case is deemed complex. If that is the case, the timeline will be extended to 90 days. However, you will be informed of this prior to the 30-day timeline.

13. Can I get help from someone I know to make an application?

Yes, you can either use a person you choose or we can provide help for you with this.

Contact Preference Register

14. What is the Contact Preference Register and how do I lodge my preference?

The Contact Preference Register replaces the previous National Adoption Contact Preference Register (NACPR). It is held by the Adoption Authority of Ireland;

it allows for eligible persons:

to register a contact preference in relation to contact with relatives.

If they have previously registered a preference on the NACPR those details have been transferred to the new register, but you can amend or add information to this now.

If you have not already registered and are:

an adopted person,
a person who was boarded out / at-nurse,
a person who was the subject of an illegal birth registration or
a member of the birth family of any of the above persons,

you can choose to put your details on the Register.

You can state:

who you would like to have contact with
who you would like to share information with
you can select the type of contact you would like
you can select not to have any contact at all.

Where an application for information is received, the contact preference register will be checked to see if a preference has been registered.

In cases where a no-contact preference is registered by a parent an information session will be organised with the applicant prior to release of their information. During this information session they will be informed of the preference for no contact.

For more information on the Contact Preference Register please see give www.aai.gov.ie or www.birthinfo.ie

15. What happens if I have already registered on the National Contact Preference Register

If you have previously joined the NAPCR you do not need to join again. All information currently on the NACPR will be transferred onto the new CPR. This means all the details you previously gave will now be on the CPR, including your address, contact preferences and the details for the family member you are searching for.

However, if you would like to update the details or contact preferences you previously submitted to the NACPR, you will need to fill out a new CPR application form and send this to the Adoption Authority.

16. I have important medical information I wish to share, what should I do?

Medical information can also be lodged through the Contact Preference Register or by applying for a tracing service as a means of locating a person to provide them with such information.

Applying for a tracing service - available from October 2022

17. How can I apply for a tracing service?

You can make an online application from October 2022. This is the quickest and most secure way to process your application. Alternatively, you can send your application by post to Tusla from October 2022.

It is not possible to submit your application by e-mail.

18. I would like my information and to trace my birth family? Can I do both at the same time?

Yes, if you are eligible for both services you may use the same application form to apply for both your information and a tracing service. You will be contacted separately with respect to each of your requests.