For years all a birth relative could do was put their details Adoption Contact Register operated by the General Register Office and hope the adopted person would also register to establish a link.

In the 1990’s some adoption agencies began to recognise that birth relates wanted and needed to know more. They also discovered that many adopted people were very pleased when they learned that birth relatives were endeavouring to trace them.

Norcap were instrumental in encouraging adoption agencies to contact adopted adults and their adoptive families to tell them that a birth relative had enquired about their wellbeing. Over the years, the number of agencies offering this outreach service independently or in association with Norcap as grown considerably. Approximately 50% of adoption agencies offer an outreach service.

Norcap were instrumental in encouraging adoption agencies to contact adopted adults and their adoptive families to tell them that a birth relative had enquired about their wellbeing. Over the years, the number of agencies offering this outreach service independently or in association with Norcap as grown considerably. Approximately 50% of adoption agencies offer an outreach service.

Birth relatives will not be given any information relating to the identity of the adopted person. The onus will be on the adopted person to decide whether or not they wish to be contacted.

Tracesmart operates an online people search engine that can assist in locating birth relatives on behalf of adopted people. A monthly subscription fee allows unlimited searches on past and present Electoral Roll and access to Birth, Death and Marriage records from 1984-2005 in England & Wales.

Tracesmart believe that any action taken to achieve contact with a birth relative should be carefully considered, and we encourage both parties to use intermediary services offered by Norcap, or a similar service provided by an outside body. An intermediary will make first contact on behalf of either party, and can be vital where people are unsure of how to proceed, and where the two parties may have different expectations.

If you have a query, which is not answered by information provided in these pages, email us at info@tracesmart.co.uk

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