If you are applying for Stage 4 membership, you are given the choice of being able to “self-evidence” your application (rather than asking your social worker or authorised professional to.)

Below are some additional notes that will help guide you through this process. If you need any further support, feel free to contact us on hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk

This “Self-evidencing” option is available to you if you are joining at Stage 4  and have already adopted (in some cases, this could have been a long time ago) and therefore you may no longer have contact with your Assessing Authority / Adoption Agency. 

“Self-evidencing” means that you are asked to provide evidence that you have already adopted.  It also means providing evidence of your identity too.  We Are Family asks for this as a simple security step so that they know that applicants are genuine adopters.

One from each list is required, and there is also the option of uploading an “other”.

Documents accepted as proof of adoption:

  • Adoption Certificate / Certified Copy Of An Entry
  • Adoption Order
  • Other

Documents accepted as proof of identity:

  • Current Passport
  • Drivers Licence
  • Medical Card (EHIC or GHIC)
  • Council Tax Bill
  • Utility Bill
  • Other

The full names provided in the documents provided should match the names in your We Are Family application.

Once you have uploaded your documents, We Are Family will review the application and, providing there are no questions, we will “validate” the application and you will then be notified that your application has been approved.

The action of validating the application automatically removes the documents from the system so that no confidential or sensitive information is retained.

Proof of Adoption

Adoption Certificate

This often has “Certified Copy Of An Entry” written on the top.  It refers to the “full birth certificate” that parents can apply for once they have adopted.  It includes the date of adoption, the adopted child’s new name and the adoptive parents’ names. It is not the same as the “short birth certificate” which cannot be used as proof of adoption as it makes no reference to the adoption or the parents’ names.

Adoption Order

The Adoption Order is granted by the court at the point at which the adoption becomes official. The Adoption Order includes the names of the adoptive parents, the adoptive child and the date of the adoption.

 

 

 

 

Proof of Identity

Current Passport

This should be a current passport and should show the applicant’s name.

 

Driving License

This should be a current driving license and should show the applicant’s name.

 

Medical Card

This is either a current/valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) and should show the applicant’s name.

EHIC

 

GHIC

Council Tax Bill

This should be a bill from within the last 12 months and should show the applicant’s name.

Utility Bill

This should be a bill from within the last 3 months and should show the applicant’s name.