For an overview of what this new legislation means, please see the Information Booklet here which has been distributed to all households nationwide.

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 Contact Preference Register and a robust tracing service and, as well as a range of new bespoke measures to address issues arising for people affected by illegal birth registration.

The legislation came into operation on a phased basis.

From 1st July 2022

- Contact Preference Register
- A public information campaign
- A broad spectrum of counselling and support, free of charge for applicants.

From 3rd October 2022

- Information request services opened
- A statutory tracing service opened for persons wishing to make contact, share or seek information.

The full legislation is available here.

For some frequently asked questions regarding the legislation, please see here.

GDPR and the legislation
The Birth Information and Tracing Act, 2022 sits within the framework of the GDPR. Similar to GDPR it provides for access to personal information, however unlike GDPR it provides for guaranteed and unredacted access to the suite of information covered by this legislation. Please click below for more information on GDPR and the legislation.

Birth information and Tracing Act Guidelines

Guidelines have been prepared to provide detailed Ministerial guidance on the operation of the services, and to provide a ‘plain English’ and user-friendly explanation of the legislation, although they do not purport to be a legal interpretation.

To read the guidelines please click below.