Deadline to maintain adoption information confidentiality nears

Adoptees and birth parents in the province have until June 1, 2004 to take necessary steps if they wish to maintain their confidentiality and prevent identifying information from being released through their birth registration or adoption order, due to the province�s new Adoption Act.

In 2003 the province introduced a new Adoption Act. The new legislation allows for openness agreements, meaning that birth parents and adoptive parents may agree to an ongoing exchange of information or contact. The new Act also provides for greater openness in the release of adoption information.

While the new Adoption Act allows for increased openness and sharing of information between adopted individuals, their families and their birth parents, the new Act also includes provisions for persons who wish to maintain their confidentiality.

"Adults who were adopted and birth parents whose adoptions were finalized under the closed records system prior to April 30, 2003 and who wish to maintain their confidentiality must file either a disclosure veto or a no-contact declaration before June 1, 2004," said Elizabeth Marshall, Minister of Health and Community Services. "This is an extension of the original deadline date of April 30, 2004, due to the recent labour disruption."

A disclosure veto will prevent the Registrar of Vital Statistics from releasing any information contained in an adopted person�s original birth registration, amended birth registration and adoption order pertaining to the person who filed the disclosure veto.

A no-contact declaration allows the Registrar to release a copy of the adopted person�s original birth registration, amended birth registration and adoption order, but the person who requests the information must sign an undertaking that he or she will not contact, intimidate or harass the person who filed the no-contact declaration.

An adopted person must be 18 years of age to file a disclosure or no-contact declaration. A birth parent may file a disclosure or no-contact declaration at any time. Information will be released when an adopted person becomes 19 years of age.

To obtain an application to file a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration, the public can contact the Vital Statistics Division or their local Government Service Centre. Members of the public are reminded to include appropriate contact and identification information when contacting the following:

• Vital Statistics Division: (709) 729-3308 (www.gov.nl.ca/gsl/gs/vs)

• Government Service Centre (Contact information found in the Blue Pages of your telephone book)

• Health and Community Services (1-800-709-2719)

Over the past year the public was made of aware of the changes and necessary actions to take through mail notification and various advertising.

"While the department already had a significant advertising campaign over the last year, which notified people of the changes, we felt it was important to offer a reminder as the deadline date approaches and has been extended," said Minister Marshall.

Media contact: Carolyn Chaplin, Communications (709) 729-1377

2004 05 12                                      12:00 p.m.