The Law and You

We have tried to obtain as much information as possible, but as the various Acts are constantly being reviewed, we would ask you to visit this page at intervals to check on the current situation.

Make sure you know your legal rights. This will alleviate a lot of the anguish experienced by many who are refused access to adoption files because they haven't taken the right steps. Adoption Laws in South Africa as at March 1998: For the full related text of the Child Care Act, click here Adoptees Must be over 18. If aged between 18 and 21 the adoptive parents' written permission is required to institute a search. Over 21s may search without aparents' permission. An adoptee, aparent or bparent may be required to receive counselling from a social worker designated by the Registrar of Births and Deaths prior to the records being made available. Specific information regarding an adoption may be given to any person at the discretion of the Registrar. This is subject to the identity of any or all of the parties not being disclosed. Essentially, this could be interpreted as being available to under-21s if there is good reason. For instance, suspected hereditary medical complaints. If anyone reading these pages has done this, please give us your experiences to help others. Birth Parents May only have access to such records with the written consent of the aparents and the adoptee. The adoptee and aparents may refuse such contact. There is no further recourse except to leave current details on file for changes of heart in the future. Adoption Laws in Zimbabwe as at 1996: For related extracts from the Child Care Act, click here Adoptees Must be over 18. This is the age of majority in Zimbabwe. No permission required to search, but the bmother's permission is required for information to be released. Birth Parents May only have access to such records with the written consent of the adoptee who must be over 18. The adoptee may refuse such contact. Although the laws are not as flexible as the new South African ones, it is not impossible to make contact through the Director of Social Welfare. Legal Advice: FAQs We have had people asking us for advice on legal matters, and as we are not qualified to give such advice, we are (with their permission) posting it on this new page. Related Legislation, Bills and White Papers Extracts from letters sent to a bmother from the Director of Social Welfare in Zimbabwe provide clues to the laws and processes in that country. Read them by clicking here. Moral of the story? If you don't try, you won't succeed. Go in and quote the South African laws as being "International" - to coin a common phrase "bulldust baffles brains". Hey, you've nothing to lose!

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