FAQs

No, as the adoption was arranged overseas by the adoptive parents directly with the overseas country and without the State Central Authority’s involvement.

Expatriate adoption refers to a child who has been privately adopted outside Australia by an Australian citizen who is resident outside of Australia. The adoption arrangements are made without the involvement of the State Central Authority.

For all new adoptions from 1 July 2013, the DHS ICAS will send to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages a memorandum containing the details of the child set out in Schedule 21 of the Adoption Regulations 2008.

DHS ICAS will also provide adoptive parents with a copy of the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Birth Certificate Application Form together with advice on how to obtain a birth certificate.

For eligible adoptions finalised before 1 July 2013, adoptive parents and/or adopted children over the age of 18 years may complete a written application form (which can be downloaded from the DHS ICAS website, or available by contacting DHS ICAS to receive a copy in the mail).

Upon receipt of the application together with proof of identity, DHS ICAS will make arrangements to recall your file, verify the details, and will then send a memorandum to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. DHS ICAS will also provide applicants with a copy of the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Birth Certificate Application Form together with advice on how to obtain a birth certificate.

Yes, but only upon request in writing to the State Central Authority (DHS ICAS) by the adoptive parent(s) or by the child if the child is 18 years or over.

No. Every parent or individual who wants a birth certificate must apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for a birth certificate to be issued.

The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages charge a standard fee for this service.

A parent of an adopted child or an adult adopted child who is 18 years or over can apply for a birth certificate.

The birth certificate will state the child’s country of birth from which they were adopted.

The adoption will be registered with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Victoria.

From 1 July 2013 the State Central Authority (Department of Human Services, Intercountry Adoption Service) must cause a memorandum of an adoption, which was finalised in a Hague Convention country to be sent to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, who will then register the adoption. This will enable the Registrar to issue a birth certificate for the child when an application is made by the adoptive parent(s).

For those adoptions finalised after 1 July 2013, the practice will be for Department of Human Services Intercountry Adoption Service to send the memorandum soon after the child arrives in Victoria.

For Hague Convention adoptions finalised before1 July 2013, a parent or adult child will need to request the State Central Authority (DHS ICAS) to send a memorandum to Births, Deaths and Marriages. Proof of identity will be required.

The parent or child will then be able to apply for a birth certificate to be issued in line with other Victorians.