Both the register of births and the adopted children register are maintained in the General Register Office. An tArd-Chláiraitheoir also maintains an index to make traceable the connection between each entry in the adopted children register and the corresponding entry in the register of births. This index is strictly confidential and is maintained in line with the provisions of Section 86 of the Adoption Act, 2010. This means that staff engaged in the administration of the Public Services Card registration process do not have access to the adopted children register or the index providing the link. In the event that those staff are unable to locate a person's entry on the register of births, they ordinarily refer that person to their local registrar or the General Register Office.