Adoptions

Access to Birth Records for adopted persons

Introduction

How do I find my original birth details?

If you were adopted through a court in England or Wales and are aged 18 years or over you can apply for a certificate of your original birth entry and try to seek out more information about your origins.

Firstly, read our background information before 1975 or after 1975 relating to when you were adopted. Then apply for the Access to Birth Records service.

Find out what is involved at each stage: what will happen at the interview with the adoptions advisor and how to find your adoption file.

If you were born in England or Wales but adopted in Scotland, Ireland or overseas you will need to contact the General Register Office for that country in order to access your birth records.