Every adoptee from HK has the right to request a personal data search. We recommend that you first ask for any personal
records from the HK Welfare Department. For example, birth certificate or social welfare report are records that may still
be on file in Hong Kong. This request can be done from abroad but be prepared to provide the necessary documents that prove
your identity. Make sure to clarify that you are not requesting information on your birth parents when you make this initial
request because you do have a legal right to information not related to your birth parents.
After obtaining your personal data, you may also consider asking for "
root tracing." Root tracing refers
to asking for information specifically related to your birth parents. The birth parents' right to privacy overrides
the rights of the adopted child under HK law. Thus, birth parent information can be denied to you. There are a number
of hurdles to overcome, for example, proving that you are a mentally stable person and not a danger to your birth parents, if birth
parents exist do they want their information released to you, and finding birth parents. Send email to
aueng@swd.gov.uk to
ask for the current procedure to initiate root tracing.
Fanling Babies Home