Accessing your adoption records

Accessing your adoption records at Warwickshire County Council

A guide for young adults adopted on or after 30 December 2005.

It's your right to access information about your adoption. This leaflet provides a simple guide to help you understand the process and how to access your records, if you were adopted through Warwickshire County Council and are over the age of 18.

The following information is available as a PDF - Accessing your adoption records (405 KB).

Step 1: Understanding Your Rights

Requesting information

You can request the information that was provided to your adopters at the time of your adoption. If you would like to request additional information, you will have to make the request in writing.

Appropriate Adoption Agency (AAA)

Your Appropriate Adoption Agency (AAA) is the organisation that arranged your adoption. If you do not know the name of your AAA you can contact the General Register Office by emailing adoptions@gro.gov.uk.

Step 2: Making Your Request

If you were placed for adoption by Warwickshire County Council, you can contact permanencysocialworkers@warwickshire.gov.uk.

You will need to provide the following information:

Your birth name
Your adopted name
Your date of birth
Your date of adoption
Proof of your identity, such as passport, college pass

*It is possible that further information may be requested

Step 3: What to Expect

Be prepared for a waiting period while your request is processed. The length of time can vary, but you will be kept updated throughout the process.
An experienced member of staff will meet you before going through your records to consider what information you want to receive and to plan the best way to support you through the process.
Assistance will be provided to access the Adoption and Special Guardian Support Fund if appropriate. The Fund is available for adopted children living in England up to and including the age of 21 (or 25 with a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education Health & Care Plan).
We cannot provide a tracing service to find and make contact with birth relatives. However, we can signpost you to the Adoption Contact Register and Intermediary Agencies (fees apply). We can support you to think about what can happen when looking for, finding and contacting your birth relatives.

Support & Resources

Need someone to talk to?

Remember, you're not alone in this journey.