Searching for your adopted child

When a birth mother makes her baby available for adoption, she may include in the adoption plan a request for updates and photographs throughout the child’s life to keep track of the child’s development. Many birth mothers have negotiated just such a situation and it means they have had ongoing reassurance that their child is happy and well cared for by his or her parents. While the birth mother may be in contact with the adoptive parents, the child cannot be contacted directly by the birth mother until it has reached the age of consent, i.e. 18. The birth mother may put on record that she would like to meet her child once they have reached this age, however the meeting will depend on the desire of the child.

If you would like to trace a child you gave up for adoption having originally selected a closed adoption, i.e. where you did not know who the adoptive parents were and no contact information has been shared, you may approach the organisation or agency that facilitated the adoption, or the Department of Social Development. Efforts will then be made to trace the child through its adoptive parents and determine if the child would like to have a meeting once the child has reached the age of consent.