We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
If you were adopted you can access your birth records or get on the Adoption Contact Register to find birth relatives - how to apply, forms and information for birth relatives
Your rights and the support you can get if you have a disabled child, including childcare, car costs, house adaptations and education
The adoption process - eligibility, assessment, adoption agencies, adoption court orders, overseas adoptions and the rights of birth parents.
Re-register your child’s birth to add the father's name to the birth record or certificate at the register office
Apply to foster a child through the social services department of your local council.
Foster carers look after children when their parents are not able to - becoming a foster carer, money and support available, fostering agencies, foster parents.
Support and benefits you can get if you're looking after someone else's child, court orders - kinship care, private fostering, friends and family care
What to do if you need to get child maintenance and one of the parents lives abroad.
How children's savings accounts are taxed, and the £100 limit on savings given by parents
Apply through your local council for short-term ('respite') care for your sick or disabled child to enable you to have a break from caring
You can ask the police to check if someone that has contact with a child has a record of sexual offences.
Where and how to register a stillbirth, who can register it, financial support you may be able to get and support organisations
Search for Sure Start Children's Centres near to your home to find out about daycare and parenting advice
Apply to adopt a child through your local council if you are 21 or over and can offer a stable home to a child
Application form to get your birth certificate information from before your adoption, if you live in the UK.
Childcare for your children before and after school - after-school clubs, breakfast clubs, homework clubs, childminders
Legal rights for intended parents and surrogates; how legal parenthood is transferred; children born outside the UK; pay and leave rights
What happens when a child is taken into care - who is responsible for what, care proceedings, care orders, going to court and the role of Cafcass
How to apply to have your child returned if they've been abducted, or arrange contact or enforce a court order in EU, Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention countries
Re-register your child’s birth to add the second female parent's name to the birth record or certificate at the register office
Do not include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab and requires JavaScript).