The new Child and Family Services Act is in effect as of April 30, 2010 and includes significant changes to how the Department of Health and Social Services deals with adoption disclosures.

The new legislation allows for more openness around adoption-related records, making it easier for birth parents and people who were adopted to find each other. However, in situations where they do not wish to be contacted, birth parents and children involved in previous adoptions can maintain confidentiality by filing a no-contact declaration.

For adoptions finalized under the previous Children’s Act, individuals who wish to maintain confidentiality must file a disclosure veto to prevent identifying information from being released through the birth registration or adoption.

As of April 30, 2010, adopted people aged 19 or over and birth parents can access their individual information if there is no disclosure veto in place.