Introducing Integrated Birth Certificates

The Adoption Legislation Amendment (Integrated Birth Certificates) Act 2020 has now amended the Adoption Act 2000 and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 to enable the issuing of an Integrated Birth Certificate (IBC) to adopted persons in NSW from 16 November 2020.

An IBC is a new form of birth certificate that includes information about an adopted person’s parents and siblings at birth, as well as their parents and siblings after adoption.

From 16 November 2020 an IBC will be issued by BDM to all newly adopted persons in NSW with a post-adoptive birth certificate. An adopted person in NSW will receive a post-adoptive birth certificate and an IBC, both are legally recognised and contain the same registration number.

Who can get an IBC?

The IBC will be available for adoptions that occurred prior to 16 November 2020. An adopted person is entitled to receive an IBC provided the adoption is registered in NSW. Applying for an IBC is optional and the process for obtaining an IBC will vary depending on when the adoption occurred, the age of the adopted person, and in some circumstances other factors which will be managed by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).

How do I get an IBC for myself or family member?

From 16 November 2020, applications for an IBC will be available via the Births Deaths & Marriages website.

For new adoptions:

• BDM will issue an IBC alongside the post-adoptive birth certificate.

For adoptions that occurred after 1 January 2010:

• An individual may apply to BDM for an IBC. If they are under 18, they will need the consent of their adoptive parents.

For adoptions that occurred before 1 January 2010:

• BDM will require an ‘authority’ to supply an IBC. An Adoption Information Certificate (AIC) provided by DCJ constitutes this authority. Please contact the DCJ Adoption Information Unit if you require an AIC to support your application to BDM for an IBC.
• If you are an adopted person under 18 years of age the following form will enable you to start the process of applying for an IBC. You will need the consent of your adoptive parents and birth parents. If you are not in contact with them the Adoption Information Unit (AIU) attempt to contact them for you. Application to obtain adoption information and integrated birth certificate – under 18 years old form (PDF, 222.4 KB).
• If you are an adopted person over 18 years of age or the birth parent of an adopted person over 18 years of age, the Application to obtain adoption information and integrated birth certificate (PDF, 206.7 KB) form will enable you to apply for an IBC along with information about the adoption and join the Reunion and Information Register is you wish.
• If you are a relative of an adopted person and would like to enquire please contact the AIU on 02 9716 3005 or visit Finding information on past adoptions page for further information.

Please refer to the Integrated Birth Certificates Fact Sheet (PDF, 97.3 KB), for further information.

Should you have any questions you are encouraged to speak with a staff member at Open Adoption and Permanency Services, by contacting the Open Adoption Hotline on 1800 003 227, or you can submit an online enquiry.

The Benevolent Society’s Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC) also provides support and information on accessing records to people affected by adoption. They can be contacted on 1800 236 762.