Integrated birth certificates for adopted people
The integrated birth certificate (IBC) shows both the birth and adoptive families of an adopted person. Adoptions registered in NSW may be eligible for an IBC.
What is an integrated birth certificate?
Since 16 November 2020, all adopted people in NSW can apply for both an integrated birth certificate and a post-adoption birth certificate.
The integrated birth certificate (IBC) lists an adopted person’s birth parents and older siblings as well as their adoptive parents and siblings.
The post-adoption birth certificate only lists the adoptive parents and siblings.
Both certificates identify:
- the adoptive parents as the legal parents of the adopted person
- the person’s adopted name as their legal name.
Either certificate can be used as an official identification document.
Who can apply?
You can apply for an IBC if the adoption is registered in NSW and you are the:
- adopted person
- adoptive parent/s, or
- birth parent/s.
If you are acting on behalf of one of the above people, you will need to provide a letter of authority and proof of your identity with the application.
What you need
What you need to apply depends on who you are, when the adoption took place and the adopted person’s current age.
Find out what you need to include with your application below.
The adoption took place after 2010
Select the options below to find out what you need to apply for an IBC for an adoption that occurred after 1 January 2010.
Adopted people need to provide:
- a completed application form
- proof of identity
- a copy of the post-adoption birth certificate (if available).
If you are under 18 years of age, you also need signed written consent and supporting proof of identity from your adoptive parent/s to submit your application. Alternatively, your adoptive parent/s can apply on your behalf.
Adoptive parents need to provide:
- a completed application form
- proof of identity
- a copy of the post-adoption birth certificate (if available).
Birth parents need to provide:
- a completed application form
- proof of identity
If the adopted person is under 18 years of age, you also need to provide an Adoption Information Certificate and Memorandum (AIC) with your application.
The adoption took place before 2010
Select the options below to find out what you need to apply for an IBC for an adoption that occurred before 1 January 2010.
Adopted people need to provide:
- a completed application form
- proof of identity
- a copy of the post-adoption birth certificate (if available)
- at least one of the following:
- Adoption Information Certificate and Memorandum (AIC) from the Department of Communities and Justice
- pre-adoption birth certificate issued before 1998 under the Adoption Information Act 1990.
If you are under 18 years of age, you also need signed written consent and supporting proof of identity from both your adoptive parent/s and birth parent/s to receive an AIC. If this is not possible, please contact the Post Adoption Information Unit at the Department of Communities and Justice.
Adoptive parents need to provide:
- a completed application form
- proof of identity
- a copy of the post-adoption birth certificate (if available)
- Adoption Information Certificate and Memorandum (AIC) from the Department of Communities and Justice.
Birth parents need to provide:
- a completed application form
- proof of identity
- Adoption Information Certificate and Memorandum (AIC) from the Department of Communities & Justice.
How to apply
Download and complete the Integrated birth certificate application form.
Prepare your supporting documents (including proof of identity).
Submit your application either by post or in-person. You cannot apply for an IBC online.
By post:
Please post this application and copies of your documents to:
Adoptions Section
NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages
GPO Box 30, Sydney NSW 2001
Note: do not post original certificates or identity documents.
In person:
Head to your local Service NSW Centre.
Bring your original certificates and identity documents for staff to check and scan.
You may need to pay a fee for your application. If payment is required, the Registry will send you an email with a secure link where you can pay using a credit or debit card.
There is no fee for an IBC if:
- it is issued at the time of adoption, or
- you provide a copy of the post-adoption birth certificate with your application.
There is a fee if you are applying for:
- both an IBC and a post-adoption birth certificate (one fee for two certificates)
- a replacement or reissue of a lost or damaged IBC.
Fees and processing times
Adoption search and certificate applications are often complex and processing times vary. While the Registry cannot provide processing times for this application, we will contact you within 8 weeks of receiving your application and keep you informed as it progresses.
| Service provided | Fee |
|---|---|
| Pre-adoptive certificate Includes the information provided by the birth parent(s) at the time of birth. This cannot be used for identification purposes and will be stamped with 'Not for Official Use'. Fees include $11 postage and handling | Standard service $70 |
| Integrated Birth Certificate (IBC) *There is no fee for the IBC if a copy of the original post-adoptive birth certificate is provided in your application. Fees include $11 postage and handling | Standard service $70 |
| Marriage search Includes a result of search with names of the couple, date and place of marriage only. A full copy can be provided if the marriage was at least 50 years ago. Fees include $11 postage and handling | Standard service $70 |
| Death search Includes name, date and place of death, cause of death and burial or cremation details of the person who died. A full copy can be provided if the death was at least 30 years ago. Fees include $11 postage and handling | Standard service $70 |
| Extract of a birth parent's birth record For people born in NSW, includes name, date and place of birth and the given names of the parents. A full copy can be provided if the birth was at least 100 years ago. Fees include $11 postage and handling | Standard service $70 |
The Registry may waive fees in some circumstances. Read our fee waiver policy to see if you’re eligible.
Once your application is processed, your certificate will be printed and sent via registered post to the postal address you provided. Please be aware, interstate and international post will take more time and tracking information is limited.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an IBC for an adoption that took place outside of NSW
No. The Registry can only issue IBCs for adoption orders made or registered in NSW.
If the adoption happened in a different Australian state or territory, contact the relevant government department in that state or territory for information.
Can I get an IBC for an international adoption
To apply for an IBC for an adoption that occurred outside Australia, the adoption must be registered in NSW. This happens when the Supreme Court of NSW:
- makes an intercountry adoption order, and/or
- grants a declaration of validity for an overseas adoption order.
Please be aware that information about the birth family recorded on the IBC reflects the information that is made available by the adopted person’s country of origin. It may be limited.
What is an Adoption Information Certificate and Memorandum (AIC) and how do I get one
An Adoption Information Certificate and Memorandum (AIC), previously known as a Supply Authority, contains identifying details of the people involved at the time of an adoption, including information about the:
- adopted person
- birth parents
- adoptive parents.
These documents are issued by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Post Adoption Information Unit.
The Registry needs these documents to ensure you are entitled to apply for identifying details and information about an adopted person and/or birth parents under the Adoption Act 2000 and Adoption Regulation 2003.
The Registry cannot apply for an AIC on your behalf. You need to apply for it using the Application to obtain adoption information form.
Learn more and apply for an AIC on the DCJ website.
Why is there information missing on my IBC
For some historical adoptions, information may be missing about the birth family. This could be because of forced adoption and removal practices in the past.
Where information is incomplete, a dash or ‘unknown’ is recorded in the relevant fields on the IBC.
What if an adopted person or birth parent is deceased
If an adopted person or birth parent is deceased, a relative or significant other person can apply to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to ‘inherit’ their rights to get adoption information. This may include the adopted person’s IBC.
You can apply if you are:
- a grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt or uncle of the deceased adopted person, or
- a spouse, de facto or another person who had a close relationship with the now deceased birth parent or adopted person.
Refer to the DCJ website for more information and to apply to inherit this information.
Why was the IBC introduced
The IBC supports open adoption practices where adoptive and birth families know about each other, exchange information and where possible, build relationships. It enables an adopted person to remain connected with their birth family, understand their background and cultural heritage.
The IBC was introduced by the Adoption Legislation Amendment (Integrated Birth Certificates) Act 2020. This amended the Adoption Act 2000 and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995.