The Adoption of Children Amendment Act, 1973 (Act no. 049 of 1973) commenced on 1 March 1974. The Amendment made three changes that the Department for Community Welfare (DCW) had sought. The amendments removed some of the flexibility to revoke consent to adopt, to further protect the interests of people who were adopting children. This amendment also extended the restrictions on publishing the identity of people directly involved in adoption processes, and removed the requirement for the Department to investigate applicants who were step-parents, unless the Judge expressly ordered them to do so.