Publication
Accessing Personal Information under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Information and Tracing Services opened to applications on 03 October 2022.
Those who were adopted, boarded out, subject to an illegal birth registration (or suspect they were) or spent time in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution as a child now have a guaranteed right of access to information and records about their birth and early life, where this information is available.
For those actively seeking to locate and make contact with a birth relative, a tracing service is also available. The Tracing Service can assist with sharing information while supporting a level of contact (if any) that both parties are comfortable with.
The Contact Preference Register opened to applications on 01 July. Applications may be made to the Contact Preference Register by those wishing to make contact, to request privacy, or to passively seek or share information with a relative.
Applications for access to information, for tracing Services or to register preferences to the contact preference register can be made on birthinfo.ie. The bespoke website also contains more information on the Act and the services in established.
The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 was signed into law on 30 June 2022. This landmark legislation provides a full and clear right of access to birth certificates, birth and early life information for all persons who were adopted, boarded out, the subject of an illegal birth registration or who otherwise have questions in relation to their origins. It also allows for access to information by next of kin in certain circumstances.
The new law establishes a robust tracing service and a Contact Preference Register, as well as a range of new bespoke measures to address issues arising for people affected by illegal birth registration. A broad spectrum of counselling and support is also available to persons affected on request. All of these services are free of charge for applicants.
A Public Information Campaign, with a national and international focus, was undertaken to let people know of the important changes to the law. As part of this, an Information Booklet was delivered to every household in Ireland, and is also available to download from birthinfo.ie.
Frequently asked questions are available at www.birthinfo.ie/faq.
For further information or support you can also contact:
+353 1 230 9300 | www.aai.gov.ie | records@aai.gov.ie
+353 818 44 55 00 | www.tusla.ie | BITCounselling@tusla.ie
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth has published operational policy guidelines that were developed by the Department to assist relevant bodies in processing applications for services under the Act. The guidelines are a technical document aimed at supporting relevant bodies in their consistent interpretation and application of the legislation. The guidelines are available here/below (as applicable).
Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 Policy Guidelines
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Additional Provisions relating to persons the subject of illegal birth registration
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Transfer of records from the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes
When the Commission of Investigation was dissolved in February 2021, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth became the data controller for all the personal data contained in the Commission’s archive of records and databases. This includes the institutional records and related data which the Commission accessed in the course of its investigations.
The Department is now responsible for the maintenance and storage of these records. It is also responsible for fulfilling data subject rights, including the right of access to personal data which may be contained in those records.
For information on how to access any of your personal data which may be in these records, please click here.