Searching for family can be a meaningful and fulfilling experience. It can also be a complex process and may bring about feelings of confusion or distress if the discoveries differ from what you expected. Taking time to emotionally prepare can help you better understand your reasons for searching, manage your expectations, and ease potential disappointment.
Before getting started, we recommend you apply for the adoption information and records available to you. You are also encouraged to consider contacting an adoption counselling or support service. A support person can help you prepare for the potential emotional challenges that may come with tracing your family history, including any unexpected outcomes. These services can also support you in preparing to make contact and understanding the positive and challenging impacts of connecting with a family member.
You can find a list of available support services on our Adoption support services page.
View a list of current genealogy services available in Western Australia to assist you with your search.
Post Adoption Services
Post Adoption Services can provide you with support and assistance when you are searching for family and making contact. Services we provide include:
- Access to information and records.
- Message Box: a person can leave a message or photograph with our team. The message is either passed on, held by our team until the person it is intended for contacts us, or the person who placed the message withdraws it. The person who the message is intended for, is always given the opportunity to decide whether or not to accept the message. All messages are confidential and are not read by our team.
- A register for people to record their details. If two or more people who are part of the same adoption have registered their details with Adoption Services, each person may be notified by our team.
- Outreach, where our team makes an approach to another person involved in an adoption to request information or contact. This service is provided for people who are not eligible to receive identifying information or in special circumstances, including legal or medical reasons, a contact veto is in place, age related reasons or extenuating circumstances.
- Referrals and support accessing counselling and support services.
- You can apply for these services by submitting an Application for Post Adoption Services form or by contacting Post Adoption Services on 1800 182 178 or at adoptions@communities.wa.gov.au.
Licensed Mediator
A Licensed Mediator can also help you with your search and contact journey. A Licenced Mediator may act on your behalf to arrange contact with another party to an adoption (unless there is a contact veto in place).
Please contact Post Adoption Services on 1800 182 178 or at adoptions@communities.wa.gov.au for a current list of Licensed Mediators and for further information.
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