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Adoption Contact Register

Connecting people

Birthlink is currently in a period of transition as we review our structures, systems, and processes. Following the temporary pause in post adoption work, we are now resuming activity to clear the waiting list.

Our team is actively processing all outstanding communications and Adoption Contact Register requests. If you have contacted us and have not yet received a response, please be assured that we are working to get back to you as soon as possible.

We recognise that reaching out for support can bring up many emotions, and we deeply value the trust you place in us. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of change. Our commitment to supporting people affected by adoption remains central to everything we do.

Going forward, we will provide monthly updates on this webpage.

If any of your personal details have changed since you first contacted us, or if you no longer wish to access the service, please let us know so we can update our records.

We also want to reassure you that there are no changes to our Care Connect or Redress Services.

Last updated: August 2026

CONNECTING PEOPLE

The Adoption Contact Register invites adopted people, birth parents and other birth relatives to register their details in the hope that there will be a link allowing future connection. The Adoption Contact Register for Scotland is a proven means for those separated by adoption to express a mutual wish to reconnect with one another.

HOW TO REGISTER

To register on the Adoption Contact Register you will need two forms of ID. One photographic, this can be a passport, drivers’ licence or identity card or other photo ID and one with proof of your current address, this can be a utility bill, letter for an appointment or another showing your address.

For adopted people, to get a copy of your original birth entry email: adoptions@nrs.gov.uk
For birth parents and birth relatives, to get a copy of original birth entries, information can be accessed on the National Records of Scotland webpage How to Order a Certificate (Also known as an Official Extract)

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/order-a-copy-of-a-certificate/

Where you would like support of advice with this please drop us an email or call and leave a message on our answering system. Please let us know how we can help and we will get back to you, you can email us at mail@birthlink.org.uk or call 0131 225 6441

WHO CAN REGISTER

You can register as:
An adoptee aged 16 and over, whose birth and/ or adoption took place in Scotland
Birth parents where the adopted person’s birth and/ or adoption took place in Scotland
Birth relative where the adopted person’s birth and/ or adoption took place in Scotland
Defined as same or preceding generation:
– Grand parent of an adopted person
– Aunt or uncle of an adopted person
– Brother or sister of an adopted person
– Cousin of an adopted person

Relative of an adopted person where the adopted person’s birth and/ or adoption took place in Scotland
Defined as the forthcoming generation:
– Child of an adopted person
– Niece or nephew of an adopted person
– Grandchild of an adopted person

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER REGISTRATION?

After we have received your registration form your details will be entered into the Adoption Contact Register for Scotland. If this proves successful, and there is a link, a member of the team will then contact you. If there is no link we will advise you of this and your details will remain on the register in the hope that there may be a link in the future.

It is important that we are kept informed of any changes to your contact details, such as your name or address. This will help us if we need to contact you in the future.

Registration Form