Fast Track Certificates - can be processed at an extra cost of £5.00 and will be ready after 3pm if ordered before 12noon.

Any requests made after 12noon will be processed and ready for the next working day after 3pm.

Please note certificates can be posted first class or collected from the relevant office. If posted there is a postal charge of £2.00.

Adoption and Parental Orders

Request for a Certificate of an Original Birth Entry on the Adopted/Parental Order Registers

The issue of Certificates relating to Adoption and Still-birth are strictly controlled and issued only to persons authorised under legislation to request them.  

You may request a copy of an original entry marked "Adopted" through The National Records of Scotland. These certificates cannot be purchased through your local Registration Office. However, the application will only be considered if you can provide the following:

• The name of the child (after the adoption/parental order was made)
• Date of Birth
• The names of the adopters/parental order parents (and if possible)
• The date of the Adoption/Parental Order

The certificate will carry a statutory fee.  The Direct Extract Service telephone number is: 0131 314 4411

In all instances, the information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence. Requests will be actioned within 5 working days and the copy of the extract will be posted to your home by second class mail  

Birthlink

Birthlink is an Adoption Contact Register that can be used either by the parents placing the child up for Adoption or for the Adopted person.

Birthlink began in 1984 at the request of birth parents who wished for information on contact with the child they placed for Adoption.  Unlike the adopted person, the birth parent or relative has no statutory right of access to assist them in tracing the child placed for adoption.

The following people may choose to Register with Birthlink:

• Any person born or adopted in Scotland (or where there is a close Scottish connection), who wishes to make contact with their birth family
• Any birth parent who wishes to make contact with the child they placed for adoption
• Any birth relative who wishes to make contact with the adopted person

England and Wales

You can obtain birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates from England and Wales using the Online Certificate Ordering Service (England and Wales) (opens new window) or by telephone to 0300 123 1837.

Northern Ireland

You can obtain Northern Irish birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates from the Northern Ireland General Register Office (opens new window). Telephone 028 9025 2000.

Republic of Ireland

You can obtain birth, death and marriage certificates from the Republic of Ireland using their Online Certificate Ordering Service (Republic of Ireland) (opens new window) or by telephone to 00353 9066 32900.

Please check with the office you are requesting your certificate from for their current fees