Commentary on Sections Part 1 - Adoption Chapter 5 – Registers Section 77: Searches and copies
Subsection (1) places a duty on the Registrar General to continue to maintain an index of the Adopted Children Register at the General Register Office. Subsection (2) provides that any person may search the index of the Register and obtain a certified copy of any entry. However, a person is not entitled to have a certified copy of an entry in the Adopted Children Register relating to an adopted person who has not attained the age of 18 years unless prescribed particulars have been provided to the Registrar General (subsection (3)). Subsection (4) provides that the terms, conditions and regulations as to payment of fees, and otherwise, applicable under the Births and Deaths Registration (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 are to apply in respect of searches, and supplies of certified copies, under subsection (2).