28 (1) Subject to the provisions of subregulations (3) and (6) and the instructions of the Registrar* on the handling of documents by persons inspecting them, the record of the proceedings shall lie for inspection during normal office hours in the office of the registrar by-
(a) an adoptive parent from the date on which the child concerned reaches the age of 18 years;

(b) an adopted child from the date on which he reaches the age of 21 years; and

(c) a natural parent or a previous adoptive parent of the adopted child, with the written consent of the adoptive parent or parents and of the adopted child, from the date on which the child concerned reached the age of 21 years.
[Para. (c) of sub-r (1) insetted by GN R416 of March 1998]

(2) Any person who may inspect the record interms of subregulation (1) may obtain a copy of the record on prepayment of an amount of R10 payable by means of uncancelled revenue stamps affixed to his application for such copy.

(3) The Registrar may require an adoptive parent, a natural parent, a previous adoptive parent or a child referred to in subregulation (1) to receive counselling from a social worker or an accredited social worker designated by the Registrar before allowing that adoptive parent, natural parent, previous adoptive parent or child to inspect the record concerned or to obtain a copy thereof.
[Sub-r (3) amended by GN R983 of 1995 and substituted by GN R416 of March 1998]

(4) The Registrar may, in his discretion and at any time, furnish specific information regarding an adoption of any person who in the opinion of the registrar has sufficient reason to obtain the information; Provided that the identity of the child, his parents, or adoptive parents shall not be revealed thereby.

(5) Subject to the conditions he determines generally or in a particular case the Director-General may approve that an adoptions record book referred to in regulation 23, the register of adoptions referred to in regulations 24 and a record of the children's court of an adoption enquiry may be inspected for official and bona fide research purposes.

(6) (a) The registrar may notwithstanding the provisions of this regulation for good reason refuse any person access to the said record and registers.

(b) Any persons aggrieved by any decision of the registrar under paragraph (a) may appeal to the Minister against such decision.

*Director-General, Births, Marriages and Deaths

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