Families with adopted children who relocate abroad, apply for overseas residency, or need to register a child with foreign authorities will often find that a UK adoption certificate needs to be officially authenticated before it will be accepted. The process depends on the type of document - whether it is a GRO-issued adoption certificate or a court-issued Adoption Order - and each follows a slightly different route.

Why overseas authorities request it

Foreign immigration authorities, schools, hospitals, benefit systems and civil registration offices may all require proof of legal adoption. An apostilled UK adoption document provides that proof in a form that is internationally recognised across all countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. It confirms to the overseas authority that the adoption took place under UK law and is legally recognised.

GRO-issued adoption certificate

A UK adoption certificate issued by the General Register Office carries the official registrar's wet-ink signature or seal. It can be submitted directly to the FCDO for apostille without any prior solicitor certification. The FCDO authenticates the registrar's signature, seal or stamp and attaches the apostille - a physical paper certificate fixed to the back of the original. This is the same route as a birth or marriage certificate and is the most straightforward of the two document types.

Court-issued Adoption Order

A court-issued Adoption Order follows the rules that apply to court documents. An original bearing a wet-ink stamp, seal or the signature of a court official can be submitted directly to the FCDO for apostille. An original Adoption Order that does not carry a wet-ink signature, stamp or seal - even though it is the original document - must first be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before it can be submitted. A photocopy must also be certified first. Documents bearing only a printed seal cannot be apostilled directly.

For countries outside the Hague Convention

For Hague Apostille Convention member countries, the apostille is the final step. For countries outside the Convention, embassy attestation in London is also required after the apostille. Some destinations may also require a certified translation of the adoption document. Always confirm the full requirements of the receiving authority before submitting.

Sensitive and important

Adoption documents are among the most personally significant records a family holds. If there is any uncertainty about which format the document is in, or what the receiving country requires, call our team on +44 (0) 204 630 6700 before submitting anything. We will confirm the correct route and manage the process with care.