International adoption country guide
Taiwan: adoption records and family tracing
Practical guidance for adoptees based in the UK who were adopted in Taiwan, were born there and adopted in the UK, or have a birth parent from there.
Research last refreshed: September 2026
Ask the Adoptee Rights Assistant
Start by identifying the records and rules that apply
The central information system dates from 2005; older records can be fragmented.
The Center accepts applications by email, fax or post and provides English-language forms, making it directly usable from the UK. Identity verification is required.
Check the current procedure before applyingThis guide explains the likely process, but forms, contact details, eligibility and access rules can change. Check the linked source before sending identity documents or paying a fee.
Choose the situation that describes you
Adopted in Taiwan
What applies: First establish the date and place of the legal adoption in Taiwan, and identify the original birth/civil, adoption, court, agency or welfare records separately.
How to look for records: Use the Child and Juvenile Adoption Information Center for adoption information inquiry and reunion services, and identify the original agency where relevant.
How to look for family: Use the Child and Juvenile Adoption Information Center as the primary origins and reunion process. Adult adoptees aged 18+ can apply directly for identified birth family information. The Center also searches for relatives, discusses the risks and expectations of search/reunion, mediates reunions and preserves adoption information. Agency-specific roots programmes can be used as secondary procedures.
Important: Do not assume that access to one Taiwan record repository gives access to the whole adoption file. Historic law and record survival may differ from the current adult process.
Born in Taiwan and brought to the UK to be adopted
What applies: First establish whether the legal adoption was completed in Taiwan or in the UK. If that is unknown, keep both procedures open rather than assuming where the adoption order was made.
How to look for records: Use the Taiwan birth/civil and before adoption record procedures described for this country, while separately tracing the UK adoption/receiving-agency, local authority, court and immigration trail.
How to look for family: Use the Child and Juvenile Adoption Information Center as the primary origins and reunion process. Adult adoptees aged 18+ can apply directly for identified birth family information. The Center also searches for relatives, discusses the risks and expectations of search/reunion, mediates reunions and preserves adoption information. Agency-specific roots programmes can be used as secondary procedures.
Important: The original birth-country record and the later UK adoption/recognition record are different sources. Nationality of the adopters does not determine where the original birth record is held.
One parent was from Taiwan
What applies: Do not process this as an intercountry-adoption record case unless the user's own adoption occurred there. Start with the verified identity of the parent and the strongest known place/date in Taiwan.
How to look for records: Use civil registration, archives and genealogy resources for Taiwan once the parent's identity and locality are established. Adoption-specific authorities are relevant only if the parent's own adoption/history makes them so.
How to look for family: Use the Child and Juvenile Adoption Information Center as the primary origins and reunion process. Adult adoptees aged 18+ can apply directly for identified birth family information. The Center also searches for relatives, discusses the risks and expectations of search/reunion, mediates reunions and preserves adoption information. Agency-specific roots programmes can be used as secondary procedures.
Important: A parent being from this country does not by itself create an entitlement to adoption records. Living-person privacy and civil registration access rules may restrict what can be obtained.
Records and family finding
Start with records
Use the Child and Juvenile Adoption Information Center for adoption information inquiry and reunion services, and identify the original agency where relevant.
Looking for family
Use the Child and Juvenile Adoption Information Center as the primary origins and reunion process. Adult adoptees aged 18+ can apply directly for identified birth family information. The Center also searches for relatives, discusses the risks and expectations of search/reunion, mediates reunions and preserves adoption information. Agency-specific roots programmes can be used as secondary procedures.
DNA
Use DNA as a separate source of evidence, not as proof by itself. Prefer multiple matches/shared match analysis plus documentary evidence. Country-specific DNA programmes are listed where verified.
Peer support
Taiwan-origin adoptee groups listed through ICAV can provide peer support. These should be checked for current information separately from the national Center and any adoption agency programme.
Practical next steps
If you have no namesApply to the national Center for adoption-related information and, if wanted, reunion/root-finding support. Use the questionnaire and provide all known adoption details.
If you have a name or placeLet the Center mediate search/contact first where appropriate; once identities are verified, use Taiwan civil/genealogy sources to extend the family line.
If the search has stalledFor older pre-2005 cases, identify the original agency or institution because records may pre-date the central information system.
Verified sources and resources
Official services and independent or adoptee-led resources are shown separately. Check current eligibility, security, costs and capacity before supplying personal information.
Other verified resources
Record review, locating/preparing birth family, facilitated reunions
Things to check: Agency-specific; not a substitute for the national centre
Other verified resources
Adult adoptee direct access to identified birth family information and reunion-service application forms
Things to check: Adoptees under 18 require guardian permission for non-identifying information
Adoption information inquiry, search, reunion mediation, consultation and referrals
Things to check: Disclosure depends on identity verification, consent and statutory rules
This country guide provides general information, not legal advice or a tracing service. Records and family finding across borders can involve privacy, consent and personal safety considerations. Verify the current official procedure before acting.
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