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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 6 2010, 11:39 PM EDT (current) | YouthLaw | 110 words deleted |
| Apr 6 2010, 11:38 PM EDT | YouthLaw | 72 words deleted |
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(last updated Nov 01)
How can I find out if I'm adopted?
If I am adopted, how can I find out who my birth parents are?
Requests for Original Birth Certificates and Counselling
Once I've got my birth mother or father's name, how can I find out where they are now?
Once I get the address of my birth mother or father, how do I get in touch with them?
Does being adopted change my race?
I am Maori. How can I find out my Tribal Affiliations/Iwi?
What can I do if I don't want my birth parents to find me?
What is Open Adoption?
Am I allowed to marry people I'm related to by adoption?
If I'm adopted, can I marry someone to whom I'm related by birth?
I'm having a baby - can my parents make me have it adopted?
Is it only babies that are adopted or can older children be adopted too?
I don't want to be adopted. Do I have any say in the matter?
Who arranges adoptions?
If a couple want to adopt a baby can they advertise or pay money?
ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUPS
Adoption is a legal process where birth parents of a child give up their parental rights and the adopting parent or parents become the child's legal parent(s) as if the child was their own child. If you are adopted, legally. you are a child of the people who are caring for you and your birth certificate will show their names as your parents. If they are New Zealand citizens you will become a citizen of this country and will be able to get a New Zealand passport. You will be entitled to inherit from your adoptive parents in the same way as if you were their natural child. However, adoption cuts your legal relationship with your birth parents and you lose the right to inherit their property if they leave property to their children without naming you.
If you were adopted before 1 March 1986, your natural parents may put a veto on your birth certificate. This means they have asked not to be identified and the Registrar can't show you their names and addresses. If you were adopted after 1 March 1986 no veto can be put on your birth certificate. Without this information, it will be much more difficult (but not impossible) to find them.
It is a good idea to get counselling and support from an experienced adoption counsellor or an adoption agency before making contact with your birth parent(s). At the end of this information sheet there is a list of support groups and counselling agencies who can help you. Otherwise you can contact the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages or the New Zealand Children and Young Persons Service, Northern Adoption Information Unit for more information on counselling (see pg. 6 for address details).
How can I find out if I'm adopted?
If I am adopted, how can I find out who my birth parents are?
Requests for Original Birth Certificates and Counselling
Once I've got my birth mother or father's name, how can I find out where they are now?
Once I get the address of my birth mother or father, how do I get in touch with them?
Does being adopted change my race?
I am Maori. How can I find out my Tribal Affiliations/Iwi?
What can I do if I don't want my birth parents to find me?
What is Open Adoption?
Am I allowed to marry people I'm related to by adoption?
If I'm adopted, can I marry someone to whom I'm related by birth?
I'm having a baby - can my parents make me have it adopted?
Is it only babies that are adopted or can older children be adopted too?
I don't want to be adopted. Do I have any say in the matter?
Who arranges adoptions?
If a couple want to adopt a baby can they advertise or pay money?
ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUPS
What is adoption?
Adoption is a legal process where birth parents of a child give up their parental rights and the adopting parent or parents become the child's legal parent(s) as if the child was their own child. If you are adopted, legally. you are a child of the people who are caring for you and your birth certificate will show their names as your parents. If they are New Zealand citizens you will become a citizen of this country and will be able to get a New Zealand passport. You will be entitled to inherit from your adoptive parents in the same way as if you were their natural child. However, adoption cuts your legal relationship with your birth parents and you lose the right to inherit their property if they leave property to their children without naming you.
I sent for a copy of my original birth certificate but my parents' names weren't on it. Why not?
If you were adopted before 1 March 1986, your natural parents may put a veto on your birth certificate. This means they have asked not to be identified and the Registrar can't show you their names and addresses. If you were adopted after 1 March 1986 no veto can be put on your birth certificate. Without this information, it will be much more difficult (but not impossible) to find them.
Who can I get help from?
It is a good idea to get counselling and support from an experienced adoption counsellor or an adoption agency before making contact with your birth parent(s). At the end of this information sheet there is a list of support groups and counselling agencies who can help you. Otherwise you can contact the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages or the New Zealand Children and Young Persons Service, Northern Adoption Information Unit for more information on counselling (see pg. 6 for address details).
