Replacement Adoption Certificate
Order a Copy of Your UK Adoption Certificate Online
Need a replacement adoption certificate? UK Official Certificates provides a private online service to help you apply for a certified copy of a UK adoption certificate.
Whether your original certificate has been lost, damaged or you need another copy for an official purpose, you can complete your application online.
Our service helps you complete the application and checks the information you provide for apparent errors before it is processed.
UK Official Certificates is a private certificate ordering service and is not affiliated with the UK Government or the General Register Office. Your certificate is issued by the relevant official registration authority.
Apply for a Replacement Adoption Certificate
Complete the online application form below, providing as much accurate information as possible about the adopted person and their adoption.
You can select where the adoption was registered and choose from the service options available in the application form.
What Information Do I Need?
To help identify the correct adoption record, the application form asks for details including:
- The adopted person’s name as recorded following adoption
- Their date of birth
- The year of adoption, or an approximate year if you are unsure
- Their current age
- The names of their adoptive parents
- The name of the court that made the adoption order, if known
Providing accurate information can help avoid unnecessary delays. If you do not know the name of the court, follow the instructions provided in the form.
What Is an Adoption Certificate?
An adoption certificate is an official record of an adoption. It normally shows the adopted person’s details following adoption and information about their adoptive parents.
In England and Wales, following an adoption order, the relevant details are recorded in the Adopted Children Register and an adoption certificate is created. It replaces the original birth certificate for legal purposes.
An adoption certificate is different from an adoption order, which is the legal order made by the court.
How Does the Application Process Work?
Applying for another copy of an adoption certificate is straightforward.
1. Complete the online application
Enter the adopted person’s details and as much information about the adoption as you can provide.
2. Choose your service
Select an available service option in the form. The applicable price and dispatch information are displayed during the application.
3. We check your information
We check the details supplied for apparent errors or missing information that could affect the application.
4. Your application is processed
The information is used to help request the relevant certified copy through the appropriate process. The certificate itself is issued by the relevant official registration authority.
We cannot guarantee that every record will be located or that every application will be completed within a particular time.
What If I Have Lost My Adoption Certificate?
You can apply for another certified copy if your existing adoption certificate has been lost or damaged, or if you need an additional copy.
You will need to provide information to help identify the adoption record. Having the original certificate is not generally necessary to make a replacement application, but you should complete the form accurately.
Can I Order an Adoption Certificate for Official Purposes?
An adoption certificate may be needed for official matters, including passport applications and other administrative requirements.
Before ordering, check which document the receiving organisation requires. Some situations may require a full adoption certificate, an adoption order or other supporting information.
Can I Order an Adoption Certificate for Someone Else?
Access to adoption records can depend on the circumstances and the registration authority involved.
If you are applying for someone else, follow the application instructions and check the relevant authority’s requirements if you are unsure whether you are eligible to obtain the record.
Do I Need My Original Birth Certificate?
An adoption certificate and an original birth certificate serve different purposes.
If you are adopted and want to access information from your original birth record, rather than obtain another adoption certificate, a separate process applies.
In England and Wales, adopted people generally need to be aged 18 or over to access their birth records. Additional counselling requirements may apply in certain circumstances, including some adoptions before 12 November 1975 where the person’s birth details are unknown.
How Quickly Will I Receive My Adoption Certificate?
The service options and estimated dispatch times are displayed in our online application form.
Please check the price, service description and applicable terms before completing your order. Dispatch time is not necessarily the same as the date the certificate arrives.
Working days exclude weekends and bank holidays. International delivery may take longer than UK delivery.
Can I Use an Adoption Certificate Overseas?
If you need an adoption certificate for use outside the UK, check the requirements of the organisation or authority receiving the document.
An apostille or further legalisation may be required in some circumstances. Requirements depend on the destination and purpose of the document, so confirm what is needed before placing your order.
Why Use UK Official Certificates?
We aim to make applying for a replacement adoption certificate as straightforward as possible.
Our online form guides you through the information required, and our service includes checking the details provided for apparent errors. You can review the available service options before submitting your application.
If you need assistance completing the form, you can contact our team by telephone, email or through the website.
Replacement Adoption Certificate FAQs
How do I get a replacement adoption certificate in the UK?
Complete the online application form on this page, provide the requested details and select an available service option.
How much does a replacement adoption certificate cost?
The price depends on the service selected and the destination. Current prices are displayed in the application form before you complete your order.
How long does it take to receive an adoption certificate?
The estimated dispatch time depends on the service chosen. Check the information in the application form, remembering that dispatch and delivery are different.
What information is needed to order an adoption certificate?
You will be asked for details such as the adopted person’s name, date of birth, year of adoption, current age and adoptive parents’ names.
What if I do not know the exact year of adoption?
The form allows you to enter an approximate year if you are unsure. Provide the most accurate information you have.
What if I do not know which court made the adoption order?
The court name can be left blank if you do not know it, according to the instructions in the current application form.
Is an adoption certificate the same as an adoption order?
No. An adoption order is the legal order made by a court. An adoption certificate records the adoption in the relevant register.
Can I obtain my original birth certificate if I was adopted?
Yes, there is a separate process for accessing original birth records. The requirements depend on where the adoption was registered and your circumstances.
Can I use an adoption certificate for a passport application?
A full adoption certificate may be required as evidence for a passport application. Check the current requirements of HM Passport Office before ordering.
What if I am unsure which certificate I need?
Check with the organisation requesting the document before you apply. This will help you identify whether you need an adoption certificate, an original birth certificate or a copy of an adoption order.