Increasing the retention period for adoption records

Seeks views on increasing the retention period for pre-2005 adoption records from 75 to 100 years.

What is being proposed

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:

Read it in full on GOV.UK

How to respond

The department has not published a response route on GOV.UK. It is usually inside the consultation document above.

Responses close 25 September 2026.