Adopted people have a right to access information about their birth family and the circumstances of their adoption.
The Registrar General can supply to an adopted person over 18 (either directly or through a counsellor in an adoption agency) a form containing all the original birth details. Using this the adopted person will be able to apply for a certified copy of their original birth entry.
When the adopted person gets the original entry of birth it will provide the following information:
Some adopted people find the above information is enough for them. However, others may wish to access information that is held on their adoption records, while others will want to go on and trace their birth relatives.
The General Register Office operates the Adoption Contact Register. The purpose of the Adoption Contact Register is to put adopted people and their birth parents (or other relatives) in touch with each other if this is what all the parties wish.
If an adopted person and a relative have both registered, the Registrar General will send the adopted person the name and address supplied by the relative, together with details of the relationship. The relative will be informed that this has been done, although they will not receive any information about the adopted person.
The General Register Office provides a range of information to help adopted people and their relatives. Please follow the link to visit the adoption information pages in the General Register Office website (www.statistics.gov.uk/registration/adoptions).
The General Register Office also has leaflets entitled “Access to Birth Records” and “The Adoption Contact Register”. These can be obtained by contacting the General Register Office as follows:
Telephone: 0151 471 4830
E-mail: adoption@ons.gov.uk
Adopted people who are residents of Swindon, or who were either adopted at a Swindon court or placed for adoption by social services in Swindon, can be supported by social workers from Swindon Borough Council to access their birth and adoption records. The Councils' Adoption Support Services Adviser is able to advise you on the next step to take in finding out more information about your adoption.
To contact the Adoption Support Services Adviser, please telephone 01793 463125.
The South West Adoption Network (SWAN) offers independent and confidential services to those affected by adoption including adopted people. Swindon Social Services has an agreement with SWAN to provide independent and confidential services to adopted people.
To contact SWAN please telephone their Helpline on 0845 601 2459.
The Helpline is available on:
Alternatively, for further information:
Visit the SWAN website (www.swan-adoption.org.uk)
E-mail SWAN at helpline@swan-adoption.org.uk
NORCAP is a support group that aims to help adults handle their feelings about the effect of adoption on their lives. It provides opportunities for adopted people to talk freely with others who have personal experience of adoption. NORCAP also operates a Register which may link people separated by adoption who want to be put in touch with each other. It can also give advice on searching for relatives separated by adoption and provide an intermediary service.
Swindon Social Services has professional membership of NORCAP. This enables residents of Swindon to join NORCAP at discounted rates.
NORCAP can be contacted as follows:
Telephone: 01865 875000. (Telephone lines are open Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 1pm and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm)
Alternatively, for further information:
Visit the NORCAP website (www.norcap.org.uk).
Email: enquiries@norcap.org.
Leaflets on SWAN, NORCAP and The Contact Register and Access to Birth Records can also be obtained from Swindon Social Services. To obtain a copy:
Telephone the Family Placement Team on 01793 465700.
E-mail: lharwood@swindon.gov.uk
Accessibility Guideline Notes
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