Support for adopted adults

Adoption Central England do not offer a search or intermediary reunion service but can provide guidance on how to begin this process.

If you were adopted after 30 December 2005, you are not able to access an intermediary service.

Using an intermediary agency

If you’re considering tracing and reconnecting with birth family members, we recommend working with an OFSTED-registered intermediary service. Intermediatory agencies are experienced in navigating the complexities of reunions and can mediate between birth relatives and adopted adults to support both parties’ needs.

Intermediary services are specifically trained to work with both adopted adults and birth relatives, offering emotional support and professional guidance throughout the reunion journey. This can be an emotional process, and having an experienced intermediary can help ensure a thoughtful approach to making contact at a pace that suits all involved.

Direct contact without an intermediary often presents challenges, as experience has shown that reunions are most successful when they develop gradually, with time for all involved to process their emotions.

Intermediary services typically charge fees. Be sure to ask about their pricing structure, as well as what services are included, so you can make an informed choice before moving forward.

Adoption England are currently offering full funding for an intermediary service to those adopted between 1949-1976. The intermediary agency will apply for funding on your behalf. More information can be found on the Family Connect website.

If you want to conduct your own search then adoption search and reunion’s website offer comprehensive guidance within their free downloadable guide.

If you are considering approaching contact and reunion, we would strongly advise you to look at the following information and advice on how to be adopted.

Link to information leaflet TBA

Considerations before beginning a search

While reconnecting with birth family can be meaningful, it is important to consider a few factors:

• A search may reveal that the person you’re looking for has passed away.
• The person being approached may decline contact or may not respond. This can feel disappointing and like rejection.
• Historical adoptions were often shrouded in secrecy and the person being approached may not have talked to anyone about the adoption. This may make reunion very difficult for them.
• The person you’re seeking may need time to process your approach, and their life may differ greatly from what you imagine.
• This journey can bring unexpected emotions, so it’s important to approach it gently and with self-care.
• For some people this journey can also bring unexpected feelings of genetic attraction to birth relatives. For more information please read Genetic Attraction (PDF, 194KB)

Why avoid using social media for initial contact?

Initial contact through social media, although tempting, may feel intrusive or overwhelming for the person being approached. They may also feel under pressure to respond or connect. Using social media also means that you are providing information about yourself and your family that you may not be ready to share yet.

Experienced intermediary services can guide you through the safest and most considerate way to connect with family members.

Support services for tracing

Family Connect provides valuable resources for adopted adults and individuals who have been in care, helping them trace their origins and navigate the process of reconnecting with birth relatives. Family Connect also offers guidance on legal rights related to accessing birth and care records, helping you understand what information you’re entitled to and how to begin your search. Family Connect provide a specialist telephone advise line for those wanting further information on searching.

The General Register Office, part of His Majesty’s Passport Office, manages civil registration for England and Wales and maintains all birth records for individuals born there. If you were adopted and do not have access to your original birth certificate, you can request it through the GRO. This service is available to individuals aged 18 and over.

The Adoption Contact Register for England and Wales is a service provided by the General Register Office (GRO) to help adopted people and their birth relatives reconnect, provided both parties are open to contact. This is not a tracing service but a way for adopted individuals and their birth family members to record their interest in being contacted. The register consists of two parts:

Part 1 – For Adopted People: Adopted adults (aged 18 and over) can add their details to indicate a willingness to connect with birth relatives.

Part 2 – For Birth Relatives: Birth parents, siblings, or other relatives can register their interest in reconnecting with the adopted person.

When a match is found, both parties are informed, but contact is only facilitated if both have expressed mutual consent. Using the register ensures privacy and mutual agreement.

For Scotland, visit the Adoption Contact Register for Scotland website

For Northern Ireland, visit the AdoptionNI website and Northern Ireland Direct.