(1)  Subject to regulations 20 and 22 , an approval of a person as a prospective adoptive parent expires 3 years after the day on which the approval is granted.

(2)  On expiry of an approval of a person as a prospective adoptive parent the Secretary or a principal officer must –

(a) remove the record of the approval from the register of accepted applicants; and

(b) notify the person in writing of that fact.