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Adoption

Introduction
The Adoption (Guernsey) Law, 1960 was the first piece of legislation in the Bailiwick of Guernsey dealing with adoption. Prior to that time children in the Bailiwick might be fostered or cared for but not formally adopted. The legislation is applied to Alderney with modifications by Ordinance in 1974, effective from 1st July that year. The law contains provisions with regard to the age and sex of the applicant, care and possession of infants before adoption and notification, the function of the Court as to adoption orders and other relevant matters.

The Royal Court (Adoption) (Guernsey and Alderney) (Amendment) Rules, 2017 removed the need for applying couples to be married.

Adoptions are dealt with by the Ordinary Division of the Royal Court, in camera before a qualified judge of law sitting with three Jurats. Application can be made in the prescribed manner by a person domiciled in the island seeking authorisation to adopt. Adoption applications from Alderney are also dealt with in Guernsey Court in the same manner.

An adoption order may be made on the application of two partners authorising them jointly to adopt an infant or of a single applicant who, a/ is the mother or father of the infant, b/ a relative of the infant who has attained the age of twenty years c/ a person who has attained the age of twenty five years.

Information for Adopted People born in Guernsey:
The Adoption (Amendment) (Guernsey) Law, 2000 allows an adopted person over the age of 18, who was born in Guernsey, to apply to the Registrar at the Greffe for information necessary to obtain a copy of their Birth Certificate. The Registrar cannot supply this information unless the adopted person has attended an interview with a counsellor arranged by the local Services for Children and Young People.  The Services will provide confirmation to the Registrar that the adopted person has attended a counselling interview.

Should the adopted person wish to obtain a copy of their Birth Certificate, they can do so at the Greffe for a fee of £19.00.  Form A should be completed and sent to the Greffe Office together with a fee of £5.00.  If you live outside of Guernsey the Adoption and Permanency Officer will arrange for you to be interviewed by a suitable Counsellor in your area.  The Services for Children and Young People will provide confirmation that you have attended such an interview directly to the Registrar.

The Adoption Contact Register:
The Adoption Contact Register is maintained at the Greffe by the Registrar.  The register contains two parts.  Under part I of the register an adopted person, aged 18 years or over, who was born in Guernsey, may apply to the Registrar to record their wishes for contact or otherwise with their birth relatives.  The adopted person should complete Form B (click to download) or available at the Greffe.  Once complete the form should be sent to the Greffe together with a cheque for £5.00 made payable to "The States of Guernsey". 
Under Part II of the register a relative of an adopted person who was born in Guernsey, who is eighteen years or over, can apply to the Registrar to record their wishes for contact or otherwise with the adopted person by completing Form C (click to download) or available at the Greffe.  Once complete the form should be sent to the Greffe together with a cheque for £5.00 made payable to "The States of Guernsey".

Form D provides an opportunity for either an adopted person or their birth relatives to amend or remove an entry in either Part I or Part II of the Adoption Contact Register.  This form is also available from the Registrar at the Greffe and applications should be accompanied by a fee of £5.00 made payable to the "States of Guernsey".