Descendants of Deceased Adopted People (Access to Information) Bill

A Bill to amend the Adoption and Children Act 2002 to allow access to information for the descendants of deceased adopted people; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Last Updated

15 May 2014

In Plain English

AI-generated

This bill would change the Adoption and Children Act 2002 to allow the descendants of people who were adopted to access information about their adoption history after the adoptee has died. It aims to help people learn about their origins while including safeguards to protect privacy and other people’s rights. It would set out who can request information, what information can be released, and how requests should be handled.

Key Points

Extends the right to access adoption records to descendants of deceased adoptees, defining who qualifies and under what conditions access is granted.
Provides a process for making requests and for deciding what information can be released, with privacy protections and compatibility with data protection rules.
Applies to organisations that hold adoption records (such as local authorities and adoption agencies) and may include definitional or transitional provisions to implement the change.

Who is affected?

Descendants of deceased adoptees (e.g., children, grandchildren)Adoption agencies, local authorities and other bodies that hold adoption recordsPotentially living birth relatives and other members of the broader birth family who may be involved in information sharing, subject to safeguards

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Descendants of Deceased Adopted People (Access to Information)

1 Jan 1970

This Bill was withdrawn and will not progress any further.

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

Descendants of Deceased Adopted People (Access to Information) Bill | TrackPolitics