Adoption

If you were adopted through a court in England or Wales and are aged 18 years or over the law allows you to gain access to your birth details. These details will enable you to purchase a certified copy of your original birth entry.

If you were adopted before 12th November 1975: you are required to receive the information from an approved adoption adviser. This can be an adviser at either your local Social Services, at the General Register Office in Southport, an aproved Intermediary Agency or, under certain circumstances, at the agency that handled your adoption.

If you were adopted on or after 12th November 1975: you are able to choose whether you would like to see an approved adoption adviser or have the information sent directly to you.

If you live outside the UK: if you were adopted in England or Wales and now live outside the UK you can apply to access your birth records. If you are required to receive your information from an adoption adviser it is possible for this to take place in the country where you are currently living, as long as a suitable organisation is available.

Your local Registration Office (Register Office) will be unable to supply an adoption certificate. You would need to apply to the General Register Office.