International adoption country guide
Sierra Leone: adoption records and family tracing
Practical guidance for adoptees based in the UK who were adopted in Sierra Leone, were born there and adopted in the UK, or have a birth parent from there.
Research last refreshed: September 2026
Ask the Adoptee Rights Assistant
Start by identifying the records and rules that apply
Adoption year, High Court registry, district, social welfare office, institution, hospital and every recorded name spelling determine the record map. Conflict or institutional disruption may have affected particular files, but loss must not be assumed without asking each possible holder.
If the person came to the UK, obtain the UK receiving or adoption agency file, court papers and immigration and nationality records in parallel. Confirm whether a later UK order was made. UK records do not replace the Sierra Leone High Court, ministry, NCRA or institution files.
Check the current procedure before applyingThis guide explains the likely process, but forms, contact details, eligibility and access rules can change. Check the linked source before sending identity documents or paying a fee.
Choose the situation that describes you
Adopted in Sierra Leone
What applies: Confirm that the legal adoption or other arrangement was made in Sierra Leone, and identify the date, place, court or authority and institution.
How to look for records: Start with the High Court adoption order and identify the ministry responsible for social welfare, the National Civil Registration Authority, the district and any orphanage, hospital or child protection body. Request the court file, ministry assessment and relinquishment material, original birth registration, adoption registration and institution file separately. A Certificate of Adoption Registration is not the whole history.
How to look for family: No verified public nationwide adult origins or tracing service was found. Ask the current social welfare ministry to identify its adoption file and the relevant High Court registry, then approach the National Civil Registration Authority for the civil registration holdings. Establish reliable names, dates and places before supported and consent sensitive contact with relatives.
Important: Keep the High Court, social welfare ministry, NCRA and institution holdings separate.
Born in Sierra Leone and brought to the UK
What applies: Establish whether the legal adoption was made overseas, in the UK, or in both places; keep the two countries’ records processs open until that is known.
How to look for records: If the person came to the UK, obtain the UK receiving or adoption agency file, court papers and immigration and nationality records in parallel. Confirm whether a later UK order was made. UK records do not replace the Sierra Leone High Court, ministry, NCRA or institution files. Start with the High Court adoption order and identify the ministry responsible for social welfare, the National Civil Registration Authority, the district and any orphanage, hospital or child protection body. Request the court file, ministry assessment and relinquishment material, original birth registration, adoption registration and institution file separately. A Certificate of Adoption Registration is not the whole history.
How to look for family: No verified public nationwide adult origins or tracing service was found. Ask the current social welfare ministry to identify its adoption file and the relevant High Court registry, then approach the National Civil Registration Authority for the civil registration holdings. Establish reliable names, dates and places before supported and consent sensitive contact with relatives.
Important: A UK adoption or registration record does not automatically disclose or replace the overseas birth, court, welfare or institution file. Keep the High Court, social welfare ministry, NCRA and institution holdings separate.
A birth parent was from Sierra Leone
What applies: Start with the records of the country where the person was born and adopted. A parent being from Sierra Leone does not by itself mean that Sierra Leone holds the adoption file.
How to look for records: Obtain the adoptee’s own birth and adoption records first. If they confirm the parent’s identity or a locality in Sierra Leone, use the relevant civil registration, archive and family history sources there.
How to look for family: Use verified names, dates, district, institution and family details with the High Court, NCRA, ministry and local or archival sources. Keep records work separate from careful, supported contact with living relatives. DNA may provide a parallel family finding lead, but database representation for Sierra Leone may be limited. Check current provider availability and any rules affecting sample collection or export. A match is a lead, not proof; corroborate it with shared matches and records and obtain consent before testing another person.
Important: Do not assume nationality proves birth, citizenship or registration in Sierra Leone. Confirm full names, spelling variants, dates and an actual locality before making overseas enquiries.
Records and family finding
Start with records
Start with the High Court adoption order and identify the ministry responsible for social welfare, the National Civil Registration Authority, the district and any orphanage, hospital or child protection body. Request the court file, ministry assessment and relinquishment material, original birth registration, adoption registration and institution file separately. A Certificate of Adoption Registration is not the whole history.
Looking for family
No verified public nationwide adult origins or tracing service was found. Ask the current social welfare ministry to identify its adoption file and the relevant High Court registry, then approach the National Civil Registration Authority for the civil registration holdings. Establish reliable names, dates and places before supported and consent sensitive contact with relatives.
DNA
DNA may provide a parallel family finding lead, but database representation for Sierra Leone may be limited. Check current provider availability and any rules affecting sample collection or export. A match is a lead, not proof; corroborate it with shared matches and records and obtain consent before testing another person.
Peer support
ICAV currently lists no Sierra Leone specific group. It lists a broader French language African adoptee group and general search guidance. These are independent peer resources, not record holders; check language, eligibility, activity, privacy and data handling before referral.
Practical next steps
If you have no namesUse the adoption certificate, travel documents and receiving country file to identify the High Court, district, ministry office and institution. Ask each holder for its underlying file and current adult access procedure.
If you have a name or placeUse verified names, dates, district, institution and family details with the High Court, NCRA, ministry and local or archival sources. Keep records work separate from careful, supported contact with living relatives.
If the search has stalledAsk each holder in writing whether the record survives, was transferred or is restricted, and what review or court process applies. Then consider archives, verified peer support and carefully corroborated DNA as separate procedures.
Verified sources and resources
Official services and independent or adoptee-led resources are shown separately. Check current eligibility, security, costs and capacity before supplying personal information.
Other verified resources
High Court, social welfare and adoption registration process
Things to check: Confirm current ministry name, contacts and adult access procedure
Identify and contact the relevant High Court registry
Things to check: File access, identification and representation requirements need a live check
Birth and adoption civil registration authority
Things to check: Civil registration is separate from the court, welfare and institution files
Confirm Sierra Leone is not a Contracting Party
Things to check: Treaty status does not establish an adult records access process
Broader African peer group and confirmation of no Sierra Leone specific listing
Things to check: Independent directory; verify group activity and eligibility
Practical search, reunion and DNA safeguards
Things to check: General guidance, not an official record or tracing service
This country guide provides general information, not legal advice or a tracing service. Records and family finding across borders can involve privacy, consent and personal safety considerations. Verify the current official procedure before acting.
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