Who may request a search on the Adoption of Children Register?
The public may, upon payment of a fee, request a search on the Adoption of Children Register.
Is a birth certificate still required as evidence of birth following an adoption?
No. The certified copy of any entry in the Adoption of Children Register is evidence of the adoption to which it relates and also evidence of the date of the birth of the child to which it relates in all respects as though the same were a certified copy of an entry in the Register of Births
How does one obtain a certified copy of the adoption entry?
Upon application to the Registrar a certified copy of the register may be provided to any person.
How is an adoption registered?
Adoption Orders are made by the Court. The Adoption Board then communicates the adoption order to the Registrar who maintains the Adoption of Children Register.
After the registration of an adoption is the original birth registration accessible?
Once the Adoption Order is received from the Court the registration is done as required by the Act.
The Registrar closes the original registration and there is no further access except by Order of the Court.
What is required to register a live birth?
To register a live birth the following are required:
- Valid passport of both parents
- Live birth notification from the hospital
- Marriage certificate, if parents are married
Who can register a child?
If the parents are unmarried both are required to attend the Registry together to effect the registration.
If the parents are married either parent may attend the Registry to effect the registration.
Social Services Department may also register the birth.
If the mother is underage (younger than 16 years old), her parents, guardian or representative from Social Services Department is required to attend the Registry with her for the registration.
Can a stillbirth be registered?
Stillbirths are registered but the Act does not provide for certificates to be issued.
If the parents were not married at the time of the child’s birth and the parents subsequently married – can the child be re-registered as if they were married at the time of birth?
Yes, If the parents were not married at the time of the child’s birth but they could have been (no legal impediment – married to another or underage) and they subsequently got married then they may do a re-registration. The registration would now appear that they were married at the time of the child’s birth. The original registration is marked “re-registered” and is not accessible except by Court Order.
Can the father be added in his absence?
No, unless by Court Order, as a form is required to be completed in the presence of the Registry Officer by the father.