If you're adopted

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

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.

Thanks for your feedback

Information