Increasing the retention period for adoption records

We want to ensure that everyone with a connection to adoption can access important information about their identity and history when they need it.

This consultation seeks views on extending the minimum retention period for adoption records created between 1976 and 2005 from 75 years to 100 years, bringing them into line with more recent adoptions.

We are also considering updating the guidance to encourage longer retention of earlier records, where they still exist.

These proposals aim to:

• protect vital information
• improve consistency
• support adoptees and families to understand their past at any stage in life