Adoptions

Adoption certificates

What is an adoption certificate and is there more than one type?

An adoption certificate is a replacement birth certificate but in an adopted person's new name. It is expected to be used by an adopted person for all legal and administrative purposes in place of the original birth certificate. The main difference between the two documents is the addition of court particulars on an adoption certificate.

Is there more than one type of adoption certificate?
There are two types of adoption certificate: a full adoption certificate and a short adoption certificate.

A short certificate shows

• date, place and country of birth
• adoptive forename and surname
• sex

It carries no reference to adoption. Therefore it is indistinguishable from any other short birth certificate.

A full certificate shows

• date of birth, place and country of birth
• adoptive forename and surname
• sex
• name and surname, address and occupation of adoptive parent(s)
• date of adoption order, date on which adoption granted and the name of the court

To find out about the different ways to apply and pay, see How to apply and pay.