If you are aged 18 or over, you are legally allowed to access your original birth certificate. If you are trying to trace your birth parents, your birth certificate may give details of your parents. It will include your mother's maiden name and the address that was registered at the time of your birth.
What should I consider before I start?
Making the decision to trace your birth parents may be emotional for you and your adoptive parents.
If you would like to talk to someone about your decision, contact the
Adoption and Permanence Team.
How do I go about tracing my birth parents?
If you were adopted through a court in England or Wales after 11 November 1975, you are entitled to find out information relating to your birth under the 1976 Adoption Act. This includes access to your adoption file which gives details of parents' surname, mother's maiden name and current address at time of registration.
You may choose to see a counsellor before you are given any information. The Adoption and Permanence Team can offer you advice and support if you choose not to have counselling.
If you were adopted before 11 November 1975 and want to trace your birth parents, you are legally required to attend a counselling interview with one of our social workers.
It is important for you to talk to a counsellor about what might happen if you do trace your birth parents, as it might come as a shock to them if you do make contact. Prior to the 1976 Adoption Act, some parents and adopters may have been told that the child being adopted would not be able to find out their original name or the names of their parents.
Who do I need to contact?
For more information about accessing your records:
If you were adopted outside East Sussex please contact the local authority where you were adopted.
East Sussex County Council