Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022

Authority to provide early life or care information on application by relevant person aged between 16 and 18 years

12. (1) A relevant person who has attained the age of 16 years but who has not attained the age of 18 years may apply in writing to the Authority for the provision by it to him or her of any or all of the following that is held by it or by the Agency and that relates to him or her:

(a) early life information;

(b) care information.

(2) Subject to this section, the Authority, on application made to it under this section, and in accordance with section 18

(a) shall, to the extent that it is practicable to do so, provide the relevant person with a copy of the records that it or the Agency holds that contain the early life information and care information to which the application relates,

(b) may provide the relevant person with a statement setting out the early life information and care information to which the application relates that is contained in the records that it or the Agency holds, and

(c) where the early life information to which the application relates includes a photograph or other image of the applicant, shall, as it considers appropriate—

(i) provide the applicant with the photograph or other image, and retain a copy, or

(ii) retain the photograph or other image and provide the applicant with a copy.

(3) Where the Authority or the Agency does not hold the information to which an application under subsection (1) relates, the Authority shall, in writing and without delay, inform the relevant person concerned of that fact.