Birth, death and marriage registration

Records of adoptions in England and Wales are held by the Registrar General. These relate to persons who have been adopted since 1 January 1927 under the Adoption Acts.

A standard certificate is a full copy of the entry in the Adopted Children Register which, instead of particulars of parentage and birth registration, gives the date of birth (if known) and particulars of the adoption and adoptive parents. A short certificate shows only the name and bears no reference to adoption.

Applications for adoption certificates should be made in writing to:

Adoptions Section
Office for National Statistics
Smedley Hydro
Birkdale
Southport
Lancs PR8 2HH.

For further information on the registration of adoptions, visit Directgov (www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Registeringlifeevents/Birthandadoptionrecords/Adoptionrecords/index.htm).

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