Adoption Document

You might need to apostille an adoption document if you want to use it in a foreign country. This convention simplifies the process of getting documents recognised internationally.

Here’s the scenario:

• You adopted a child abroad and want to register the adoption in your home country.
• You adopted a child domestically and plan to move abroad with your family. The new country may require an apostilled adoption document.

In both these cases, an apostille verifies the authenticity of the adoption document, ensuring it’s recognised by the foreign country’s legal system.

As an adoption certificate is issued by the General Register Office, it can be apostilled without being notarised. You will need to submit the original physical document sent to you directly by the General Register Office. 

The original physical document can still be notarised if needed, however, we cannot notarise a photocopy. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will not apostille a photocopy of the adoption certificate.

If the recipient of the document insists on the document being stamped by a notary, we can notarise the document. We will need to notarise the original adoption certificate by confirming it is an authentic original document.  This notarised certificate can then be submitted to the FCDO to be apostilled.

• Streamlined communication: We listen closely and respond quickly to your questions by email or inquiry, usually within minutes.
• Clear process: We explain everything straightforwardly and create a personalised plan to finish your apostille quickly.
• Reliable delivery: We keep our promises and deliver exactly what you need, on time and with minimal fuss.
• Convenience at your fingertips: We offer a fully mobile notary service and can meet you at a variety of locations for your appointment. Plus, many steps can be done remotely – we’ll guide you on the best approach for your situation.
• Global reach: No matter where you are in the world, we’re here to help you throughout the apostille process.

Need it ASAP? No problem! In many cases, we can complete your apostille by the next business day. We understand deadlines and work hard to meet them.

Join the hundreds of satisfied clients! We consistently receive stellar 5-star ratings on Google Reviews because we are committed to exceptional service and exceeding your expectations.

An adoption certificate is issued to an adopted person following the granting of an Adoption Order by the UK courts.

An Adoption Order is a legal document issued by a court that finalises the adoption process. It essentially severs the legal ties between a child’s biological parents (or previous guardians) and establishes the adoptive parents as the child’s legal guardians for all purposes.

The Adoption Order is sent to the General Register Office (GRO), who make an entry in the Adopted Children Register. A new birth certificate is then produced by the GRO, and this is known as an adoption certificate. It generally takes approximately 4 weeks for an adoption certificate to be issued once an Adoption Order has been granted.

The GRO can issue a short–form adoption certificate or a full certificate. The short form certificate makes no reference to the adoption and is titled Certificate of Birth. The full certificate contains all the information recorded on the Adopted Children Register.

A full certificate will contain the following information:

• Registration district, sub-district and county of birth
• Full adopted name of person born
• Date of birth
• Adoptive Father’s full name
• Adoptive Mother’s full name
• Address of adoptive parents
• Occupation of adoptive parents (not always shown)
• Date of Adoption Order
• Court where the adoption was administered
• Date the entry was registered
• Signature of the appointed officer
• Date the certificate was produced

Typically, a full certificate will be needed for administrative purposes as this contains more information. Additional and replacement copies, can be ordered from the General Register Office.

An adoption certificate will only be issued in physical format by the General Register Office.