It is a matter of law that all adoptees who are 18 years of age or older, whose Adoption Orders have been granted in the UK, are entitled to access their original birth certificates and may have access to certain other records.

For those adopted prior to 12 November 1975, your records must be accessed through a counselor nominated by the Registrar General. Those adopted from 12 November 1975 are entitled to such counseling facilities before access to the records.

The following sites relate to various UK governmental departments and independent agencies able to provide all members of the adoption triad with useful information and assistance.

If you are a birth parent who is 'searching' then you should initially contact:

The Office of Population Census and Surveys, (OPCS)
The General Register Office,
Smedley Hydro,
Trafalgar Road,
Birkdale,
SOUTHPORT,
United Kingdom.
PR8 2HH
Tel: ++44 (0) 1514 714313

Request an application form to allow your details to be placed on the Contact Register. This will enable your data to be matched up and may enable the necessary steps leading to reunion to take place. Please note that, although personal details may be matched, there can be no direct contact or information arising from this. However, in such a case, your details will then be available to any of the counseling services who may be assisting adoptees and their adopted families in any search.

You might also consider writing to:

NPN (Natural Parent's Network)
10, Alendale Crescent
Garforth
LEEDS, West Yorkshire,
United Kingdom
LS25 1DH
Tel: ++44 (0) 113 286 8489

Barnardo's Counselling Services
Cottage Nr.1, Tanners Lane
Barkingside, ILFORD, Essex,
United Kingdom.
IG6 1QG
Tel: ++44 (0) 181 550 2688

Either agency may be able to assist with further contacts and information.

Other Independents

International Social Service of Great Britain
Cramer House
39 Brixton Road
London