Question
Did you adopt the child you want to register?
Answer 1 ‘No I did not adopt my child’
Answer 2 ‘Yes I adopted my child’
The pathway depends on where you adopted your child.
If you are divorced, legally separated, unmarried or a same sex couple, choose Key words and phrases below to understand if that affects your pathway.
Children adopted in the UK or a British Overseas Territory by a British citizen – entitlement pathway
Children adopted in the UK are entitled to be registered British citizens otherwise than by descent if one of the parent is a British citizen.
Children adopted in the UK or British Overseas Territory by non-British citizens – discretion pathway
The Home Office has discretion with applications to register children adopted in the UK by non-British parents.
Choose Discretion below.
Children adopted abroad by British citizens – discretion pathway
The Home Office has discretion with applications to register children adopted abroad by British citizens.
Choose Discretion below.
Proof of adoption
You need proof to show you followed all the adoption rules in the country where
- the child was born, and
- the adoption happened
The Government will not recognise an adoption if you cannot show proof you followed all the adoption rules. Get advice about the adoption process you went through before applying to register your child.
Choose Getting proof below for more help with this.
Applying to register a child as British