How do I find out about tracing birth relatives?
Information for adopted people on searching for their birth family
The Adoption Search and Reunion website is intended to be the first port of call for anyone thinking about searching for or making contact with birth and adopted relatives, or researching an adoption that took place in the UK.
The Adoption Contact Register is a public services register, set up to put adopted people and their birth relatives in touch with each other, if that is what both parties wish. To register your interest in being contacted by a birth relative, you can add your name to the Adoption Contact Register for a small fee. You must be over 18.
Other organisations that offer support and information include:
NORCAP
General Register Office Scotland
Birthlink (Scotland)
General Register Office N.Ireland
BAAF publishes a wide range of publications that deal with adoption search and reunion including the BAAF Advice Notes If you are adopted (for adopted people) and Child from the Past (for birth families), and The Adoption Reunion Handbook by Liz Trinder, Julia Feast and David Howe. Wiley, 2004.
More details of BAAF publications about adoption search and reunion
Back to section: About adoption
Last updated: 26 April 10
