In depth information about search and reunion in Northern Ireland.
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On this page:
> First questions
> Access to information
> Counselling
> Intermediary services
> Contact registers
> Further reading
First questions
See our information for adopted people and birth relatives.
Access to information
Access to information is a crucial part of the search process. Key pieces of information such as birth name or adoption agency are vital to find at the start of the search.
Information relating to adoptions and the people involved is held by:
- Registrar General: birth records, Adopted Children Register
- Adoption agencies: case records and other pieces of information
- Courts: records of adoption proceedings
This information is highly confidential, and access is controlled by law.
When an adoption order is granted details are recorded in the Adopted Children Register, which is maintained by the General Register Office and holds records of adoptions made since 1st January 1931.
Under the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, adopted persons have the right to apply to the Registrar General for details of their birth records. Part VI of this Order http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/
si1987/Uksi_19872
203_en_7.htm#mdiv54 sets out the regulations regarding registration, amendment and revocation of Adoption Orders and amendments are made in Schedule 9 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 http://www.hmso.gov.uk/
si/si1995/Uksi_19950755_
en_1.htm.
Further information:
Counselling
Under the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1987/
Uksi_19872203_en_7.htm#mdiv54 and amendments made in Schedule 9 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1995/
Uksi_19950755_en_1.htm, anyone adopted before 18th December 1987 must receive counselling before being granted access to birth records. At the counselling interview, forms will be provided in order to apply for a copy of the birth certificate and the name of the adoption agency involved in the adoption.
Intermediary services
Once the necessary information has been obtained an adopted person may take the decision to make contact with their birth relatives. Making contact with birth relatives is something that the adoption counsellor will discuss with you. Although some adopted people decide to make direct contact, because of the potential impact and the strong emotions involved it is usually recommended to use an intermediary service where adopted people can receive practical and emotional support. Birth relatives who want to make contact with their adult adopted children or siblings may also wish to make use of Intermediary services. Unlike adopted people birth relatives are not allowed by law to receive identifying information without the adopted adults expressed permission.
Intermediary services are provided by some adoption agencies or support groups who offer practical advice and make initial contact with birth relatives or adopted adults on behalf of the person searching.
Contact registers
Adoption Contact registers are another method that adopted people and birth relatives can use to make contact with one another. Either party can add their own details along with the name of the person they wish to contact and if a match occurs the information is passed on to the other party.
The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/
si1995/Uksi_19950755_en_1.htm amended the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 and introduced the Adoption Contact Register.
The General Register Office for Northern Ireland maintains the Adoption Contact Register and provides information on its operation http://www.groni.gov.uk/
adoption.htm
See below for details of other registers operating in the UK
Further reading
View BAAF books on searching and reunion
The Adoption Reunion Handbook by Liz Trinder, Julia Feast, David Howe
Wiley, 2004
Offers comprehensive practical advice on the search process and includes quotes from adopted people who have searched and had reunions with birth relatives.
http://www.wileyeurope.com/WileyCDA/
WileyTitle/productCd-0470094222
,descCd-authorInfo.html
Heart of reunion: some experiences of reunion in Scotland by Ros McMillan and Gwen Irving
Barnardo's, 1997
A study describing the expectation and experiences of 45 Scottish adoptees who were reunited with their birth families.
http://www.barnardos.org.uk/
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