April 2025, Spain: Publication of a paper on children’s right to identity and searches of origins as part of a child protection system

A recent paper published by Antonio Ferrandis Torres, a recognised child protection expert working for the local government in Madrid, Spain, addresses children’s identity rights in processes of searches for origins. This paper is a reflection on the progress made in the implementation of this right in the development of a child protection system in Spain, in particular in the past 25 years since the abolition of anonymous birth by a judicial sentence. The latter entailed the establishment of a ‘right to know’ and a constant balance between the right of adoptees to have access to their origins and the protection of the privacy of birth families. The lack of regulations and criteria makes their implementation a complex task to date, even with the establishment of search for origins programmes. In terms of identity, it focuses on the change of name, the preservation of identity and the support required during the process of search of origins.

CHIP welcomes this new article showcasing the right to identity of adoptees, in particular in searches of origins, and how to address the needs of those persons initiating such searches.

See: Ferrandis Torres, A., ‘Artículo 23: «¡Necesito saber quién soy!: Identidad y acompañamiento en la búsqueda de orígenes»’, in Renovando desde dentro. Siete retos y propuestas de mejora del sistema de protección de la infancia en España, 2025, https://renovandodentro.wordpress.com/2025/04/01/articulo-23-necesito-saber-quien-soy-identidad-y-acompanamiento-en-la-busqueda-de-origenes-por-antonio-ferrandis-torres/