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Order birth, adoption, marriage, civil partnership and death certificates from the General Register Office (GRO) - find GRO index numbers

Use this form to apply to adopt a child who lives in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Find out how to apply to become a child's special guardian.

• What is a special guardian

  You can apply to be a child’s special guardian when they cannot live with…

• Who can apply

  You can apply to be a child’s special guardian if you’re not their parent…

• Apply

  You can use a family mediator to help make arrangements with the child’s…

• After you apply

  Within 10 days of receiving your application the court will send you a…

Local authorities and regional adoption agencies can apply for therapeutic funding for eligible adoptive, special guardianship order and child arrangement order families.

• Updated: 11 September 2025

Where to get official UK documents when you’re abroad. Sometimes called notarial and document services.

• Updated: 31 July 2025

Order an official birth, adoption, death, marriage or civil partnership certificate from the General Register Office (GRO) if you need a copy or want to research your family tree.

Use the online form (previously form SC4) if you’re adopting a child and need to apply for Statutory Paternity Pay and Leave.

Contact information for the General Register Office

Form A51: Application for variation of a placement order (Section 23 Adoption and Children Act 2002).

Support for foster carers, including financial help, tax arrangements, how to make decisions for your foster child, claiming benefit while fostering, and other help.