This study examines policy and practice in Australia in relation to the access to and use of the original birth certificates of adopted people. The analysis of policies are placed within the historical context of closed adoption practices in Australia and internationally. The framework used for my analysis is that of Bacchi, which highlighted the ways 'illegitimacy' was a 'problem' and the best way to 'solve' the said 'problem' was to remove children from their mothers to be raised by strangers and then issue the children with new birth certificates. The past was covered up and society pretended that all children were born to married parents. In more recent years adopted people have been able to access their original birth certificates with the opening of adoption registers.
This research is a detailed analysis of Australian policy and legislation, using documents from all States and Territories. The study found the process of accessing original birth certificates is complex, costly and time-consuming and people are unable to use their original birth certificates as a legal identity document.
The researcher found that, despite the opening of adoption and birth registers, policy and practice changes are required. These are discussed and suggestions for improvements are made, including the presentation of two revised versions of birth certificates for adopted people.
Last updated: 4 August 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/nsw/bib/NP0000335.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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