Getting information about your adoption
If you were adopted in Scotland, you should be able to find information about your adoption:
- on your birth certificate
- in adoption records
- in court records
These documents can sometimes contain upsetting information. You may want to get support through the process. You can get support from:
- the adoption agency who arranged your adoption
- adoption charities
Adoption information on your birth certificate
If you were born in Scotland, your birth certificate (sometimes called a 'birth entry') should show:
- the place and time of your birth
- your original name
- your birth mother's name
- the name of the person who registered your birth
It may also show other information if it was recorded, such as:
- your birth mother's job
- your biological father's name
- your relationship to the person who registered your birth
If you cannot find it, you can order a copy of your birth certificate from National Records of Scotland.
Adoption information in adoption records
Adoption records can provide information about the circumstances that led to your adoption.
Contact your local council or adoption agency to view your adoption records.
Some adoption records have more information than others.
Adoption information in court records
Court records are the documents that were given to the court when you were adopted.
Court records normally have:
- a copy of your birth certificate
- a report made to the court at the time of the adoption
- the adoption petition - this is the document that your adoptive parents completed to ask to adopt you
- the name of any adoption agency involved
- permission for the adoption from your birth mother
- confirmation from the court that the adoption may go ahead
Some court records have more information than others.
Where to find your court records
Where you find your court records will depend on how long ago you were adopted.
If your adoption was less than 25 years ago
If you were adopted less than 25 years ago, your records should be held by the court where the adoption order was made.
Your birth certificate may say where your adoption records are. If you know you were adopted in a particular area or city, contact the Sheriff Court for that area or city.
Find a Sheriff Court
- Visit Aberdeen Sheriff Court Annex and High Court of Justiciary
- Visit Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Airdrie Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court Annexe
- Visit Alloa Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Ayr Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Banff Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Campbeltown Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Dumbarton Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Dumfries Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Dundee Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Dunfermline Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Dunoon Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Elgin Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Falkirk Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Forfar Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Fort William Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Glasgow Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Greenock Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Hamilton Sheriff Court
- Visit Hamilton Sheriff Court Civil Building
- Visit Inverness Justice Centre
- Visit Jedburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Kilmarnock Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Kirkwall Sheriff Court
- Visit Lanark Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Lerwick Sheriff Court
- Visit Livingston Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Lochmaddy Sheriff Court
- Visit Oban Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Paisley Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Perth Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Peterhead Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Portree Sheriff Court
- Visit Selkirk Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Stirling Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Stornoway Sheriff Court
- Visit Stranraer Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Tain Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
- Visit Wick Sheriff Court
If your adoption was more than 25 years ago
Courts usually give records to the National Records of Scotland after 25 years.
You should contact the National Records of Scotland Adoption Unit if you want to find out about an adoption that was over 25 years ago.
Who can look at court records
Once you turn 16, you can look at your own court records.
Other people who can look at court records are:
- those who have written permission from the adopted person – they must show a copy of this when going to look at the records
- people who work for an organisation that deals with adoptions, or a social worker, and have written permission from the adopted person
If they cannot get written permission, they may still be allowed to look at the court records – for example, if the adopted person is too ill to give permission. They can apply to the court where the court records are held for permission.