Description
What is an Adoption Document?: Legal proof of adoption, issued by UK courts or the General Register Office (GRO), detailing adoption details. This document is known as an adoption certificate and replaces the original birth certificate for all legal purposes.
Category: Civil Record (Birth, Death, Marriage certificate)
Can I Legalise?: Your UK adoption document can be legalised.
Acceptable Formats for Legalisation:
FCDO accepts the UK adoption document in the following formats:
- Your original UK adoption certificate or certified copy from either the General Register Office (GRO) or local register office
- Your original document stamped or sealed in wet ink by the court, or signed by an official of the court or a judge
- Your original document not stamped, sealed or signed by a court or an official of the court
- A photocopy or printout of your UK adoption document
PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE UNABLE TO LEGALISE PHOTOCOPIES OF THIS DOCUMENT
Requires Solicitor/Notary Certification?: No, but original must contain a wet ink signature or a seal from the issuing authority.
Requires Submission as Originals?: Yes (unless certified copy from GRO/local).
Important Notes: No photocopies for originals unless certified. Original must have wet ink signature/seal if applicable.
Common Use: International adoption processes, immigration.
Requires Embassy Attestation?: Yes, for non-Hague countries (e.g., UAE, Qatar).