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Open consultation

Increasing the retention period for adoption records

From:
Department for Education
Published
2 July 2026

Applies to England

Summary

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

This consultation is being held on another website.

This consultation closes at

Consultation description

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

Updates to this page

Published 2 July 2026

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