How to obtain birth records

The Norfolk Adoption Service is the adoption agency in Norfolk. We have adoption advisers to support you.

Anyone over the age of 18, is entitled to a copy of their original birth certificate. You are also entitled to ask for access to your adoption records. These records may be able to give you some information about your birth parents' circumstances at the time of your adoption.

If you do not have a copy of your original birth certificate, then you need to apply for a copy.

If you don't know your birth name

If you were adopted before 12 November 1975 and do not know your name at birth, you will need to apply to the Register General for Access to Birth Records from the General Register Office (GRO) and see an adoption adviser.

Please apply to the GRO via the contact details below. Put on the form:

That you wish to have an appointment with an adoption adviser at Norfolk Adoption Service at Norfolk County Council
Our contact details - email adoption.unit@norfolk.gov.uk or call 0344 800 8020

If you were adopted on or after 12 November 1975 and before 30 December 2005, and do not know your birth name, you can apply to the General Registrar for the information to enable you to obtain a copy of your original birth certificate.

General Register Office contact details:

Call 0300 123 1837
Visit GRO website

If you do know your birth name

If you already know your original name, and were adopted before 30 December 2015, you have the information to apply directly to the Register General for a copy of your original birth certificate.

If you were adopted on or after 30 December 2005

Anyone adopted on or after 30 December 2005, no longer has the right to apply direct to the GRO for a copy of their original birth certificate. Any application must now be made to an adoption agency. Find out more.

You can read more about your right to access information on the Adoption Search Reunion website.

Some people are satisfied with finding out a bit more about their background information, while others may want to use this information to begin a search for birth family members.

We can offer advice, information, counselling or support to anyone who is thinking about seeking information or searching for people. If you would like to talk to anyone about our range of services please contact us. We give some support but are not a tracing agency.

There are also a number of organisations which provide information and assistance to adopted adults.