I am an adopted person
How do I know if I was adopted through Childlink?
Childlink was previously known by the following names:
- The Adoption Committee of the Cambridge Branch of the Church League for Women's Suffrage (1913-1916)
- The National Adoption Society (1916-1931)
- The Adoption Society — also known as The Adoption Society of the Church of England (1931-1945)
- The Church Adoption Society (1945-1990)
If you are unsure whether your adoption was arranged through us, we can check our records for you. We will need your adoptive name and date of birth. If you know your birth name, it would be helpful but is not necessary.
Will you still have my file?
We hold adoption records in our archives for a minimum of 100 years. Unfortunately, our files relating to adoptions before 1945 were destroyed during World War II. Our other adoption files are securely stored in the archive system on our premises.
How can Childlink help me?
You can contact us to ask questions or raise issues about your adoption with one of our experienced adoption workers. If you are over 18, we will let you see your file as you have the right to information about your birth origins and adoption. We can also put you in touch with useful organisations or other people in a similar position to yourself.
Do I have to come to Childlink to see my file?
If you want to see your actual file and have access to all the original documents that the law allows, you will need to come to our office in London. If you are happy to look at photocopies of the key documents from your adoption file, we can send these to an agency somewhere near you. For adopted adults living in the UK this would be through your local authority or an adoption support agency. If you live outside the UK, an arrangement would be made through a recognised social services or adoption agency.
What if I am not yet 18?
We can't let you view your file until you turn 18, but we can tell you about some of the things it contains, including information about your birth family, if we have it. We may be able to give contact details of other adopted children so that you can share your experiences. We will also give you details of national and local support groups such as Talk Adoption, a service for young people affected by adoption.
Can I find out if any of my birth family ever ask about me?
Yes, you can. If they have contacted Childlink we will have records of this and we can share them with you. It's best if you come into our office to discuss these records, and if you are under 18 you will need to bring one or both of your adoptive parents with you. If a birth relative traces you, then you have the right to decide whether or not you welcome this contact.
What if I want to find out where members of my birth family are?
For some adopted people there is a curiosity or a real need to know about their birth family, and for others there is not. Thinking about tracing your birth origins may elicit a range of emotions, often complicated by trying to reconcile your feelings with those of your adoptive parents.
- If you are over 18, we will send out letters to the last known address of your birth relatives if you request this, and we can do the same if you are under 18 and have support from your adoptive parents
- Childlink can help you to engage a suitable tracing agent if you are over 18. Please note that any work done with a tracing agent will be at your own expense. We will support you through the process and can work as an intermediary
- We can also facilitate reunions and make our offices available as a neutral venue
Will I have to pay Childlink any fees?
We make no charge for our post adoption services, but we invite users to make a donation if they are able.
What if I prefer to work through another agency?
The Adoption and Children Act 2002 gives adopted adults and their adult birth relatives the right to apply for an intermediary service. This means an adopted adult can ask the appropriate adoption agency or a registered adoption support agency to trace a birth relative and establish if contact would be welcome. Log on to the Adoption Search and Reunion website (below) for more information about intermediary services.
What if Childlink is not the appropriate agency?
We will send you information about other agencies and organisations you could contact for information, advice or help.
Other useful sites may be:
NORCAP (Adults Affected by Adoption)
www.norcap.org.ukNORCAP - now known as AAA (Adults Affected by Adoption) is a registered adoption support agency, offering advice and assistance in the search for relatives lost through adoption, access to adoption information and intermediary services.
Post Adoption Centre
www.postadoptioncentre.org.ukAlso registered as an adoption support agency, the Post Adoption Centre offers counselling and support to people affected by adoption. It also runs workshops and produces useful literature.
Talk Adoption
www.talkadoption.org.ukHelpline: 0808 808 1234
TALK Adoption is the national telephone helpline for young people, up to 25 years old, who have a link with adoption whether they are: adopted, have given a child for adoption, or are relatives or friends of adopted people.
Adoption Search and Reunion
www.adoptionsearchreunion.org.ukThis website is intended to be the first port of call for anyone thinking about searching or making contact with birth and adoptive relatives. It contains sections for adopted people, adoptive parents and birth relatives.