If a relative has been adopted

In December 2005, the law changed. It gave birth relatives the opportunity to ask for help with trying to contact an adopted relative.

The service is available to a birth parent, brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin.

Things to consider:

• We can only help you if the adopted person is over 18. We would not make a new approach until the adopted person is over 25
• The adopted person has the right to decide if they want any contact. We cannot go against their wishes
• This process will take some time
• There may be some situations where we will not feel it appropriate to make an approach
• There may be some situations where despite our best efforts, it is impossible to trace your adopted relative

Help we may be able to offer:

• Check archive records to see if any information is held about your adopted relative
• Make an approach to the adopted person to see if they wish to have contact
• Support you through the process
• Be present at any reunion

We can also offer counselling, support and specialist information on request.

If you would like to talk to someone about our services please contact Norfolk County Council.

There are also other agencies offering support to birth relatives, details of which are listed under useful websites.