Adopt NI is a dedicated charity based in Northern Ireland that has been supporting adults affected by adoption and family separation since 1989. With a strong commitment to valuing every voice and supporting every journey, Adopt NI offers a wide range of services designed to empower individuals throughout their adoption experience and beyond.

One of the key ways Adopt NI can assist you is through their expert tracing services. Many adults searching for their birth families or origins find the process challenging and time-consuming. Adopt NI’s team of professional researchers have access to information that is often not easily available to the general public, making them invaluable partners in your search. As one client shared, social workers often recommend Adopt NI’s services because of their professionalism and extensive capabilities in uncovering vital details that can significantly advance a person’s search.

Beyond tracing, Adopt NI provides intermediary services that facilitate safe and respectful contact between adopted adults and their birth families, ensuring any reconnection happens with consent and at a comfortable pace for all involved.

In addition to tracing and intermediary support, Adopt NI offers advice, advocacy, and specialist counselling tailored specifically for adoption and care-related issues. Their peer and professional support network empowers adults by helping them feel understood and less alone on their journey.

While they receives funding for some of their core programs, many of their broader support services rely on donations and community involvement. This enables them to assist nearly 500 individuals each year, helping them navigate complex emotional and practical aspects of adoption.

If you’re seeking to find your birth family or require support related to adoption, Adopt NI represents a trusted, compassionate resource dedicated to guiding you every step of the way.

Many years ago, there was an Adopt NI Contact Register. It was a charity run registry for adoptees and birth family members. Registration was done online and there was a small fee to record the details.

This was a private register and could not be searched by the public. To gain access you registered your details. Once details were registered and a match made, the adoptee was contacted on the match. The database also includes those separated by foster or residential care.