Ontario Adoption Records
The world's largest adoption reunion registry for adoptees and families
Start Your Search Today
Accessing Adoption Records in Ontario
In 2008, Ontario opened adoption records to allow adoptees and birth parents access to personal and family information. The province keeps records for all adopted children born in Ontario, even if the adoption was handled elsewhere.
While Ontario adoption records are open, the steps you need to complete to access the information you want can be overwhelming. Lengthy processing times may delay your search, and some information isn’t available to biological siblings, grandparents, or other relatives.
If you’re having trouble getting adoption records in Ontario, Adopted.com is here to help. Our voluntary reunion registry allows anyone impacted by an adoption to register and search for their family members. Reunions happen through mutual consent, whether you have official records or not.
To begin your search, you just need to fill out a simple form with ten questions you likely know about your adoption. If there’s a potential match on the platform, you’ll be notified right away.
We have the largest voluntary adoption registry in the world, with people searching for family members in Toronto, Ottawa, and across the entire province. Register today to take the first step toward a potential reunion.
Register Now Directory
10,373 Are Adoption Records Public in Ontario?
Yes, Ontario passed a law in 2008 to open adoption records, including birth registrations and adoption orders. Under this law, adoptees and birth parents can access information from sealed adoption records. The information includes an adoptee’s original name and their birth parents’ names. Birth parents can learn the name the child was given after the adoption.
By request, the Ontario government will release this information, as long as the adoptee or birth parent has not filed a disclosure veto to protect their privacy.
How to Find Adoption Records in Ontario
There are different steps to find adoption records in Ontario, depending on your involvement in the adoption and the information you want to access. You can request both identifying and non-identifying information through ServiceOntario.
Non-identifying information refers to details that don’t reveal the names or contact information of anyone involved in the adoption. This information can include the adoption date, the adoption agency, and the birth family’s medical history.
You can request non-identifying information in Ontario if you’re:
- An adoptee who’s at least 18 years old
- An adoptee under 18 with your adoptive parent’s consent
- An adoptive parent
- A biological parent, grandparent, or sibling of the adoptee
- A child of a deceased adoptee
- A birth parent’s sibling
You may also have access to identifying information from an original birth registration or an adoption order. This information can show you the identities of people involved in the adoption. It may include the adoptee’s name at birth or after adoption, the birth parents’ names, and the adoptive parents’ names.
You may be able to access this information if you’re:
- An adoptee who’s at least 18 years old
- A birth parent if the adoptee is at least 19 years old
There’s no fee to access adoption records in Ontario. You just need to complete the correct form and mail it to the address listed. You can’t fax, email, or deliver an application in person.
How Can I Find a Biological Parent in Ontario?
If you’re an adoptee, you can find your biological parents’ names by requesting post-adoption information through ServiceOntario. However, if one or both of your birth parents have asked to keep their identities private, you will not receive this information.
Birth parents can also agree to release information but ask not to be contacted. If your biological parent has completed a no-contact notice and you attempt to contact them anyway, you can be fined up to $50,000.
How Can I Find Someone Who Was Adopted in Ontario?
You can only request an adoptee’s identifying information if you’re the biological parent. The adoptee must also be at least 19 years old before you can search for them. This rule gives an adoptee one year after they turn 18 to file their privacy and contact preferences.
Just like birth parents, an adoptee has the right to keep their identity private or ask not to be contacted by their biological family. If the adoptee has a no-contact notice on file and you contact them anyway, you can be fined up to $50,000.
Other biological relatives, including grandparents and siblings, can’t access identifying information from adoption records, but they can join the Adoption Disclosure Register. If you register, you’ll be notified if or when a match occurs.
Let Adopted.com help you find your lost family today!
Adopted.com is a powerful adoption reunion registry designed to help you reconnect with your birth parents. By registering, you gain access to a growing database of over 1,189,534 profiles, increasing your chances of finding your biological relatives. The platform respects your privacy and allows you to update your profile anytime.
Registration is free, and the unique search tool ensures measurable match results. When you find your birth parents, remember to approach the reunion with an open heart and understanding, as it can be an emotionally significant experience for everyone involved.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Ontario
-
CinDea
10 hours ago
-
Leanneee
2 hours ago
-
Cheeser
15 hours ago
-
Dohertysp
19 hours ago
-
Kjersema
20 hours ago
-
JennayBennay
21 hours ago
-
KathrynHusban
56 minutes ago
-
Adoptee123321
1 hour ago
-
Patelliottcum
1 hour ago
-
RR_Spies
19 hours ago
-
Cherry78
37 minutes ago
-
Kimm1
8 hours ago
-
Kailem3456
4 days ago
-
Sant3980
4 days ago
-
Roeyro
4 days ago
-
Jaywhite16
5 days ago
-
Zorayas
5 days ago
-
Mrsea
5 days ago
-
ColleenBall
6 days ago
-
Sophieclairelynn
6 days ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
1. Hotfudge : I am looking for my birth father who lived on a military base in Manitoba who denied paternity. My mother was from a family of 13 in a small town in Manitoba and was 22 when I was born. Her name was Mary, average build, dark brown hair, 5 foot 6 inches tall, Polish ancestry. I know my birth father is of Irish ancestry and that is all I know of him. My mother came to Ontario and married where she gave birth to me and gave me up for adoption as her new husband could not raise me as his own.
2. Elmokitty : I am trying to locate a my sisters daughter, who was given up for adoption at birth. She has a brother who would love to meet his sister. I would like to find her before her grandmother ( my mother ) passes.
3. Joeldnbr : I was born at York Finch hospital on January 15 1985, I was adopted by one of the nurses that worked there
4. LN : I was born at Henderson General in Hamilton Ontario‚ and my name at birth was Jennifer Anne Weaver.? Birth date is July 5th‚ 1976. Birth mothers name was Lois Laverne Weaver.
5. Nancy34 : Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Burlington, ON Birth mom approx. 16 yrs old at time of birth Children’s Aid Society
6. Fotini : Hello, I was born to a Greek teenager in June 1973. She named me Fotini. I was born in a major Toronto, Ontario hospital. I would very much appreciate being contacted by anyone who has any details. Thank you.
7. ECudmore : More Details - Born in Ottawa General on January 5, 1976. I was 10 lbs +. Maternal Parents 18 years of age with dark features of French Canadian heritage. I was given names Mary Rhonda Michelle and adopted to Paul and Carole. Looking For - Anyone within the birth family. Ideally I would love to talk to them but the most important thing to me is to see a picture of who I came from and tell the birth family that I have had a wonderful life and thank you for that.
8. Bonniemac47 : Sister looking for boy born 1952-1954‚ Hamilton ont.‚Birthname Kevin Angus Hendricken or MacGillivray? Hamilton Ontario‚ Catholic Adoptions
9. Blondenana : Hello my name is Nancy and I am searching for my birth mother. Her legal name at the time of my birth was Norma Isabelle Hatherley but she has also used the alias Norma Denise Adams. her birthdate is August 17‚ 1936. She was from the Parry sound area. Her mother and fathers name were Matilda and James Hatherley. My birth mother moved to Toronto to have me and I was born in St. Michaels Hospital on March 11‚ 1954. The adoption was handled by the Childrens Aide Society. It seems like she just disappeared after my birth and no one has seen or heard from her since. She also apparently attended the Patricia Stevens Modeling and finishing school i WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP IN FINDING HER PLEASE. Thank you
10. Hotfudge : Birth father was in the military in Manitoba and birth mother lived in a rural Manitoba Municipality. Mother was from a family of 13 children‚ her name was Mary. He denied paternity. She married a man from Ontario and moved here and I was born 3 months later and put up for adoption. He would be born in 1930’s time frame. DNA shows relationship to Little/Moffatt DNA. Would love to know more about the family history past and present. I am 69 now and he may already be deceased. Any information would be greatly appreciated and welcomed.
11. Calico : I was born at the Doctor’s hospital in Toronto. I was adopted through Jewels for Jesus
12. Cheri-lyn : I am in search of my birth sister, born in Brampton Ontario between 1969-1971, mother’s last name was sigurdson and father’s last name is Southon, that is all teh information I have..... I hope someone can help me, both parents were from georgetown, ontario......
13. Colleen88 : Hospital: Scarborough General Date: Oct 23/1967 Birth Name: Kathy/Cathy Ann MacDonald I would like to make contact anyone in my birth family.
14. Leslam : I am looking for my birth family. My birth name was Mary Ann(e) Grills. My birth mother was 15 or 16 at the time of my birth. To the best of my knowledge when her pregnancy was discovered she was sent to Toronto to live in a home for unwed mothers. I believe my birth father was 30ish and possibly a neighbour. My birth mother lived with her parent and grandparents in rural eastern Ontario. The adoption was handled through Cobourg, Ontario CAS. Any further information would be appreciated!
15. Jandpy : Birth Name David Paul Gold Born at Toronto Grace Hospital Birth Mother is Annette Francis Gold She lived on D’Arcy St. In Toronto I believe #22
