Request access to your adoption or birth records

If you are 18 or older and were adopted before 30 December 2005, you can ask the General Register Office for your birth records.
These records can include:

• your birth name
• your birth mother’s name
• your birth father’s name (if recorded)
• the name of the court and the date of your adoption

If you were adopted before 11 November 1975, you must have a counselling interview before you can get your original birth certificate and your adoption records.

If you were adopted on or after 30 December 2005, you can get your birth records from the local council or adoption agency that arranged your adoption.

If you’re worried about talking to your adoptive parents about accessing your birth records or just need support with the process, we’re here to offer advice.

Phone: 01494 586 349
Online: Send us a message

Research shows that, for most adopted adults, finding out about their birth origins doesn’t harm their relationship with their adoptive parents.

Visit GOV.UK for guidance on accessing your birth records.

If you were adopted before 31 December 2005 and want to see your adoption file, contact the Adoption Support Team in Buckinghamshire. We’ll request your files from the agency involved in your adoption.

If you were adopted after 31 December 2005 (a Post Commencement Adoption), you’ll need to contact the Local Authority that arranged your adoption.

If you’re unsure which agency handled your adoption, talk to us and we can help.

Many adoptive parents want to support their adult children in learning about their birth origins.

For helpful information for adoptive parents, visit the Adoption Search Reunion website.

We can talk through any concerns, explain changes in legislation since you adopted, and signpost you to other services if needed.

FamilyConnect is a helpful website for adopted adults, birth relatives, and people who have been in care. It offers guidance on finding answers about your origins and accessing services, including intermediary support for reconnecting families separated by adoption.

The FamilyConnect advice line also provides information for professionals about available services and funding.

For more details, including opening times:

• visit: the FamilyConnect website
• email: [email protected]
• phone: 0300 1800 205

You can contact us to:

• request counselling before you request your birth records
• ask for help in finding your adoption agency
• request your adoption records if you were adopted through Buckinghamshire Council

Phone: 01494 586 349
Online: Send us a message

Our phone lines are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am to 5pm.