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You usually get a short form adoption certificate which replaces the old birth certificate. The short form doesn't state adoption on it. The long form - the one you need to apply for a passport - is obtainable from the general registrars office.

Hi StarletI was just about to post a similar note.We where given a nice certificate at our celebration hearing, but it's not very official looking, I could have printed it from the Internet myself.Looking on previous posts on here, you need a long certificate to get a passport, but I wasnt given any information about this.I was going to ask my sw today as we had a goodbye session planned, but unfortunately it was cancelled. When I looked at the passport website it doesn't help.

We haven't got a short note either... maybe i'll ask our sw tomorrow

From memory you will automatically get sent the short form cert with a letter telling you how to apply for the long form.

Hi,You get short cert 6-8 weeks from the date of the final hearing - we did in our casesIf not chase up with the court.The General Records Office are also v helpful, you have to pay for the long certificate....

Thank you so much for your replies xx brilliant, i'll wait for the post

Thanks as well!!Can we apply for the long form without the short one? Im just thinking if I wait 6-8 weeks, then apply for long form , then passport, I could miss the summer holidays!!

Great question - we moved home and I'm not sure where the short cert now is. Can I be spared a hunt through boxes to find it? What info is needed to apply for the long form? I shall post an answer myself if none forthcoming in the next few days...Blueberry2

We applied for the long birth certificate straight away after court, no need to wait to receive the short one. I called a number court gave us, ordered the long one, paid on the phone and I got it quite quickly if I remember properly.

HiYou can call the general records office on Tel: 03001231826.The long cert costs £9.25. From memory, I had to give them the reference number that was on the letter that came with the short form. I am sure they will be able to help if you don't have the reference number.They were very helpful when I called.

Thanks again, and thanks for the number soon2be3, I will call this afternoon.I am surprised the court didn't give us any information, they didn't tell me the short form was coming in the post and I thought the certificate they gave me couldn't be used for official type use.Xx

An update on soon2be3's telephone number to ring the Long Certificate General Records Office. It appears to have changed, and is now 0300 123 1837. Cost is still £9.25 per certificate.

An update on soon2be3's telephone number to ring the Long Certificate General Registry Office. It appears to have changed, and is now 0300 123 1837. Cost is still £9.25 per certificate.You only need to give child's new name(s) and details of adoptive family, plus/ confirm approx timing of final Adoption Court order and the court name. No need for any reference nos or short certificates to order the long one.Blueberry2

Mods - could this be pinned somewhere -,Rescouces perhapsIt's a comman question & would be helpful to us all. Same with the passport thread Just a thought