Gwefan llywodraeth y DU

If a child is born and adopted in England or Wales

Registering an adoption can take up to six weeks, from the time the court issues the adoption order to the General Register Office updating the Adopted Children’s Register. This replaces the original birth record, which is marked ‘adopted’.

You then receive a free short adoption certificate. If you would like more short copies or a full certificate you need to order them. You can do this online or by telephone.

What if there is a mistake on the Court Order?

If you notice a mistake on the Court Order, you should contact the court that dealt with the adoption and request an amended order. The Adopted Children’s Register will be updated automatically.

If a child is born and adopted overseas

Children born and adopted overseas can be registered in the Adopted Children’s Register providing the adoptive parent(s) are primarily resident in England or Wales at the time of adoption. If not, you will need to seek legal advice to check whether the adoption can be recognised in this country.

If the child is born in England or Wales, and adopted overseas

Children born in England or Wales but adopted overseas can be added to the Adoption Contact Register if the adoptive parents are primarily resident in England or Wales at the time of adoption.

What you need to do if a child is born or adopted overseas

Applying to register a child’s details to be added to the adoption register can be done by the adoptive parent(s), a person with parental responsibility for the child or the adopted person themselves if they are over 18 years of age.

To obtain the forms either: 

• download forms below in English or Welsh
• contact a Local register office
• contact the General Register Office by email or telephone +44 (0)151 471 4806

Documentation you will need

You will need to provide original evidence of the adoption, such as:

• a certified copy of an adoption entry
• a certificate that the adoption has been granted

Any supporting documentation should be provided by the organisation granting the adoption and signed by a person authorised to do so. You cannot send certified or notarized copies from solicitors.

If the documentation is not in English, you will need to provide a translation. This must be signed and endorsed by the translator with their name, address, occupation and a statement that the translation is true and accurate.

Your supporting documentation, along with a free short birth certificate will be sent to you on completion of the application.

• Application form - if you are a resident in England at time of adoption - Form 52 (PDF 98Kb)
• Application form - if you are a resident in Wales at time of adoption - Form 52w (PDF 137Kb)
• Application form - If you are a resident overseas at time of adoption - Form 52b (PDF 89Kb)