Ontario Adoption Records
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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.
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10,986 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 1,205,524 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
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
1546. FourleafLucky : Name at birth was Coleen White. Born in St. Thomas, Ontario
1547. Nlaplante1973 : Searching for my biological parents. Was born at Scarborough General on June 19th 1960. Of Irish and Italian descent. Adopted by a couple in their 40s with another adopted son. Birth name was Forrestt Kelly Dillman.
1548. Tdawdelobellle : The biological mother was from Strathroy, Ontario Canada. The baby girl was named Baby Eleanor.
1549. Nancysantos : Born in Toronto, Ontario at Womens College to LInda Cowl. Looking for birth father whom I know nothing about. My birth name was Georgina Maureen Cowl.
1550. Bryancooper001 : I am looking for my son who is now 20 he was adopted out when he was 3.
1551. CC69 : She probably doesn’t know I exist...she was born probably in Burlington area....maybe Waterdown...she is my half sister.
1552. Tiarajill : Southpeace Hospital..birthweight 10lbs
1553. Spencerwillis : Anne verburg is my mother ,the city was hamilton the hospital was the Hamilton general hospital ,
1554. CindyMarshall : I am looking for my birth mother. Her name is Patricia Ann Berwick and at the time of my birth she lived at 116 Malvern avenue, Toronto Ontario. She was born in 1952
1555. CindyMarshall : I am looking for my birth mother, At the time of my birth she lived at 116 Marlvern Ave, Toronto, Ontario and she was born in 1952 Her name is Patricia Ann Berwick
1556. Zaz333 : Born at Guelph General Hospital June 6 1984. The adoption was handled by the Children’s Aid/Family and Children’s Services of Guelph.
1557. Nina12 : I Do Not Believe I am Adopted, bt could be. My Birth records were destroyed in hospital. I am mostly looking for my real father, I never met. My Mother will not tell me who he is.
1558. Michaelcormier1992 : Stephanie Pitts is my birth mothers name. No fathers name available I was adopted by Regis & Jennifer Cormier in Windsor, Ontario through the Children’s Aid Society. I was put into child services at 8 months old and I believe i was a 1.5 years old when I took the name of Michael Regis Cormier from Michael Edward Allen Pitts.
1559. CC69 : Looking for half sister...perhaps last name Darlow or Guindon. Born in 1969 I believe. Hamilton, Waterdown, Burlington area.
1560. Jennifercathey : Born in Toronto At the St Joseph hospital Early morning. Birth mother was in her 30. Court case, a family member wanted me.
