From 18 September 2025: The law regarding international adoptions has temporarily changed. For more information about the temporary law changes, please refer to: Targeted reforms of the international adoption system


You should first contact Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children(external link) if you're:

  • planning to adopt a child and both you and the child are ordinarily resident in New Zealand, or
  • planning to adopt a child through an overseas court and want that adoption recognised in New Zealand, or
  • wanting to view an adoption record.

If either you or the child are not ordinarily resident in New Zealand and you're considering adoption, you should seek specialist legal advice.

Adoption Orders

If you want to adopt a child in New Zealand, you will need to apply to the Family Court for an Adoption Order.

Find out more about Adoption Orders

View court adoption records

In special cases the courts can show you the court records about an adoption. You will need a Court Order to see them.

Find out more about viewing court adoption records

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