We hold records of adoptions that took place in Scotland.
If you were adopted you can:
- request information from adoption records
- order a copy of your adoption certificate
The Registrar General for Scotland has maintained the Adopted Children Register since 1930.
It’s a register of people who were adopted under orders made by the Scottish courts. There are no entries relating to people born before October 1909.
To request information, contact us
You can also view the adoptions research guide on the NRS web archive.
Information in your adoption record
Your adoption record could contain information about your:
- name under which you were registered
- place and time of birth
- mother's name, surname and possibly occupation
- father's name, if recorded
It could also have the name and possibly relationship of the person who registered the birth
We can also advise:
- where your Adoption Court Process papers are held
- how to access them
For information or advice about legal records of Adoptions, visit the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website
Viewing adoption records
If you want to view original adoption records, contact us.
You’ll need to make an appointment to view your papers. We can only see visitors who have made an appointment.
The advance notice will allow us to check that we have the appropriate records.
Ordering an adoption certificate
You’ll need to complete a form and send us certain details about the adopted person.
Follow the guidance on ordering a copy of a certificate.
Support if you were adopted
You also have a statutory right to counselling services under the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007.
