Genealogy Chat

I was wondering when you order an adoption certificate and it asks for the adoptive name, is it the name you know them as? Can you only order an adoption certificate if you know their original name which they were first born with?? thanks kerry

u need adopted name to order cert.

Ok thanks, is there anyway of obtaining that name if you dont know it and there are no living relatives who do either?

Hi kerry, An adoption cert, is basically a new birth cert. there is no reference on this cert regards original birth info except place of birth. Which name did you wish to obtain? the birth name or the adoptive name?

Kerry Sorry, no, the only person who can access that information is the Superintendant Registrar, at the request of the adopted person themself. The whole point of Adoption is to legally sever the ties for ever, between birth family and adopted family. But - don't despair! Type Adoption in the search titles box at the top of this board and you will get lots of helpful threads on this subject. Try Jess's Adoption threads first - but you will need a flask and some sandwiches, lol, there are over 3000 postings to her threads. OC

I was hoping to obtain his birth name, i know him as christopher john maggs however he was adopted and i dont know his birth name. i gave up a while back but it keeps nagging at me to find out, but because he has passed away its unfortunate that i feel that its lost forever, but i wil prepare myself with a lot of snacks and spend hours reading peoples posts. kerry

Hi If you believe Christopher has 'passed away' then I'm assuming his was an old adoption. Official adoptions didn't start until 1927, before that adoptions were informal and no records kept the GRO. Only adopted people adopted after 1927 are on the Adopted Children Register. Hope this helps. Cheers Gerry