Updated to 17 April 2024 (Act No. 9 of 2024 and S.I. No. 162 of 2024)

Adoption Act 2010
No. 21 of 2010

Contents

Commencement

SectionCommencement DateCommencement Information
Whole Act 1 November 2010 Adoption Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 511 of 2010), art. 2

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Amended - “Child and Family Agency” substituted for “Health Service Executive” Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (No. 40 of 2013), ss. 1(2), 97 & sch. 2 part 21
Court fees excluded for proceedings under Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court (Fees) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 492 of 2014), arts. 1(2), 6(1)(c) (col. cit.)
  Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 24 of 2014), arts. 1(2), 6(1)(c) (col. cit.)
  Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) (No. 2) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 466 of 2013), arts. 1(2), 5(1)(c) (col. cit.)
  Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 239 of 2013), arts. 1(2), 6(1)(c) (col. cit.)
  Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 110 of 2012), arts. 1(2), 6(1)(c)
Transfer of cert. functions Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (No. 40 of 2013), ss. 1(2), 6, 82 and sch. 1
  Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
  Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 218 of 2011), arts. 1(2), 3(1) & sch.
S. 3 amended Gender Recognition Act 2015 (No. 25 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 32
  Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 (No. 19 of 2011), s. 49(a)
S. 3(1) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 3(a) - 3(e)
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 102
S. 4(k) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 4
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 103
S. 6 establishment day appointed Adoption Act 2010 (Establishment Day) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 512 of 2010), art. 2
S. 11 amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 104
S. 12 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 5
S. 12(2) substituted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 105
S. 16 substituted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 106
S. 16(1) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 6
S. 17 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 7
S. 17 forms prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Pre-Placement Consultation Procedure) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 520 of 2010), regs. 2, 3 & sch.
S. 17(1)(a) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 107(a)
S. 17(2) substituted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 107(b)
S. 17(3) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 107(c)(i)
S. 17(3)(b)(i) forms prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Pre-Placement Consultation Procedure) (Forms) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 606 of 2017), regs. 2, 3, schedule
S. 17(3)(b)(i) substituted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 107(c)(ii)
S. 17(5)(b) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 107(d)
S. 18 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 8
S. 18 amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 108
S. 18(8) inserted Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 (No. 32 of 2013), ss. 1(2), 10
S. 18A inserted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 109
S. 19 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 9
S. 20 amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 10
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 110
S. 21(2) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 11
S. 21(2) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 111
S. 23 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 12
S. 24 deleted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017, s. 2(1)
S. 26 form prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Consent to Adoption Order) (Forms) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 535 of 2017), regs. 2, 3, schedule
S. 26 forms prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Consent to Adoption Order) (Forms) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 519 of 2010), regs. 2, 3 & sch.
S. 30 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 13
S. 30 amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 112(a)-(c) & (e)
S. 30(3A) inserted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 112(d)
S. 30(8) inserted Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 (No. 32 of 2013), ss. 1(2), 11
S. 31 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 14
S. 31(5) inserted Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 (No. 32 of 2013), ss. 1(2), 12
S. 32 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 15
S. 32 amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 113
S. 32(b) substituted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 113(a)
S. 33(1)(a)(ia) inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 16(a)(i)
S. 33(1)(a)(ia)-(ib) inserted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 114(a)(i)
S. 33(1)(a)(ib) inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 16(a)(i)
S. 33(1)(a)(ii) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 16(a)(ii)
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 114(a)(ii)
S. 33(3A) inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 16(b)
S. 33(3B) inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 16(b)
S. 33(3A)-(3B) inserted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 114(b)
S. 33(4)(a) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 16(c)(i)
S. 33(4)(b) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 16(c)(ii)(I), 16(c)(ii)(II)
S. 33(5) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 16(d)
S. 33(6) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 16(e)
S. 33(4)-(6) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 114(c)-(e)
S. 34 amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 17
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 115
S. 37(1) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 18(a)
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 116
S. 37(5) inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 18(b)
S. 37(6) inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 18(b)
S. 38(2) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 19
S. 38(2) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 117
S. 40(1) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 20(a)
S. 40(1), (2), (4) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 118
S. 40(2) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 20(b)
S. 40(4) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 20(c)
S. 41 amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 21
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 119
S. 43(1)(e) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 22(b)
S. 43(1)(da) inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 22(a)
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 120(a)(i)
S. 43(1)(e) Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 120(a)(ii)
S. 43(6) inserted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 120(b)
S. 45 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 23
S. 53(2)(b) substituted Court of Appeal Act 2014 (No. 18 of 2014), ss. 1(2), 74(3), sch. 2
S. 54(1)(a) inserted with transitional provisions Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 24(1)(a), 24(2)
S. 54(2) substituted with transitional provisions Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 24(1)(b), 24(2)
S. 54(2A) inserted with transitional provisions Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 24(1)(c), 24(2)
S. 54(3) substituted with transitional provisions Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 24(1)(d), 24(2)
S. 56(1)(a) amended Court of Appeal Act 2014 (No. 18 of 2014), ss. 1(2), 74(3), sch. 2
S. 56(2)(a) amended Court of Appeal Act 2014 (No. 18 of 2014), ss. 1(2), 74(3), sch. 2
S. 56(3) amended Court of Appeal Act 2014 (No. 18 of 2014), ss. 1(2), 74(3), sch. 2
S. 56(3)(a)(i), (ii) substituted Court of Appeal Act 2014 (No. 18 of 2014), ss. 1(2), 74(3), sch. 2
S. 58 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 25
S. 58(a) substituted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 121(a)
S. 58(b) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 121(b)
S. 58A inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 26
S. 59 amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 122
S. 59(1) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 27(a)
S. 59(2) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 27(b)
S. 60(2) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 28(a)(i)
S. 60(2)-(4) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 123(a)-(c)
S. 60(2)(a) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 28(a)(ii)
S. 60(2)(b) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 28(a)(iii)
S. 60(3)(b) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 28(b)(i)
S. 60(3)(c) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 28(b)(ii)
S. 60(4)(i) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 28(c)
S. 60(7) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 28(d)
S. 60(8)-(9) inserted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 123(d)
S. 61 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 29
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 124
S. 62 amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 30
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 125
S. 63A inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2013 (No. 44 of 2013), s. 1
S. 68(2)(b) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 31
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 126
S. 69(2)(b) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 32
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 127
S. 78(2)(b) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 33
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 128
S. 79(2)(b) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 34
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 129
S. 84(3) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 35
S. 85 fees prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 518 of 2010), regs. 2, 3
S. 85(2)(a) fee prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 7 of 2018), regs. 2, 4, schedule
  Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 536 of 2017), regs. 2, 5(1)
S. 85(2)(b) fee prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 7 of 2018), regs. 2, 6, schedule
  Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 536 of 2017), regs. 2, 4(1), (2)
S. 85(3)(a) fee prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 7 of 2018), regs. 2, 5, schedule
  Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 536 of 2017), regs. 2, 5(2)
S. 85(3)(b) fee prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 7 of 2018), regs. 2, 6, schedule
  Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 536 of 2017), regs. 2, 4(1), (2)
S. 85(4) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 36
S. 86(2) amended Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 (14/2022), ss. 1(2), 72
S. 89 particulars and fee prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Abridged Certificate) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 611 of 2011), regs. 1(2), 3 & 4
Ss. 91A-D inserted Gender Recognition Act 2015 (No. 25 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 33
S. 91B(1) fee prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Register of Gender Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions) (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 8 of 2018), regs. 2, 4, 5, schedule
  Adoption Act 2010 (Register of Gender Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions) (Fees) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 537 of 2017), regs. 2, 4(1), (2), (3)
S. 94 body established under designated Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 (Remote Meetings and Remote Hearings of State Body – Adoption Authority of Ireland) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 335 of 2020, art. 3
S. 96(1)(f) amended Gender Recognition Act 2015 (No. 25 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 35(a)
S. 96(1)(g) amended Gender Recognition Act 2015 (No. 25 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 35(b)
S. 96(1)(h) amended Gender Recognition Act 2015 (No. 25 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 35(c)
S. 97(1)(b) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 37
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 130
S. 98(2)(a) amended Court of Appeal Act 2014 (No. 18 of 2014), ss. 1(2), 70
S. 100(5) substituted Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (8/2023), ss. 1(3), 38(a)
S. 100(6) substituted Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (8/2023), ss. 1(3), 38(b)
S. 125(2)(b) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 38(a)
S. 125(2)(b) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 131(a)
S. 125(3) substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 38(b)
S. 125(3)(c) amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 131(b)(i)
S. 125(3)(ca)-(cb) inserted Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 131(b)(ii)
S. 134 form of notice prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Section 134) (Forms) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 597 of 2010), regs. 3, 4 & sch.
S. 144 renumbered as subs. (1) Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 132(a)
S. 144(1) amended Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 39(a)
S. 144(2) inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 39(b)
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 132(b)
S. 145(6) inserted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), s. 40
  Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 133
S. 151 form prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Accredited Bodies) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 524 of 2010), regs. 2, 4 & sch.
S. 152 form prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Register of Intercountry Adoptions) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 521 of 2010), regs. 2, 3 & sch.
S. 152A form prescribed Adoption Act 2010 (Register of Gender Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 534 of 2015), reg. 2, & sch.
S. 152A inserted Gender Recognition Act 2015 (No. 25 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 34
S. 157(f) amended Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 (No. 19 of 2011), s. 49(b)
S. 158(d) amended Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 (No. 19 of 2011), s. 49(c)
Sch. 3 amended Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (No. 9 of 2015), ss. 1(9), 134
Sch. 3 substituted Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 (19/2017), ss. 41, schedule, 43(2)

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 6 Adoption Act 2010 (Establishment Day) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 512 of 2010)
S. 17(3) Adoption Act 2010 (Pre-Placement Consultation Procedure) (Forms) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 606 of 2017)
S. 26(3) Adoption Act 2010 (Consent to Adoption Order) (Forms) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 535 of 2017)
S. 89 Adoption Act 2010 (Abridged Certificate) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 508 of 2019)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Abridged Certificate) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 611 of 2011)
S. 123 Adoption Authority of Ireland Superannuation Scheme 2017 (S.I. No. 157 of 2017)
S. 150 Adoption Act 2010 (Register of Gender Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions) (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 8 of 2018)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 7 of 2018)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Pre-Placement Consultation Procedure) (Forms) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 606 of 2017)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Register of Gender Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions) (Fees) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 537 of 2017)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 536 of 2017)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Consent to Adoption Order) (Forms) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 535 of 2017)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Section 134) (Forms) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 597 of 2010)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Accredited Bodies) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 524 of 2010)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Register of Intercountry Adoptions) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 521 of 2010)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Pre-Placement Consultation Procedure) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 520 of 2010)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Consent to Adoption Order) (Forms) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 519 of 2010)
  Adoption Act 2010 (Section 85) (Fees) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 518 of 2010)
S. 151 Adoption Act 2010 (Accredited Bodies) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 524 of 2010)
S. 152 Adoption Act 2010 (Register of Intercountry Adoptions) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 521 of 2010)
S. 152A Adoption Act 2010 (Register of Gender Recognition of Intercounty Adoptions) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 534 of 2015)