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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10,989 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 1,204,959 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.
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
1561. Jennifercathey : Born in Toronto At the St Joseph hospital Early morning. Birth mother was in her 30. Court case, a family member wanted me.
1562. Vox2comm : Hi. I’m not sure if you can read my profile. I’m actually searching on my sisters behalf. Baby boy born july1st 1977 Scarborough ontario. Dark hair weighing Aprx 7lbs 7 oz . Mom stayed in Catholic home for unwed mothers.. moms name Susan Lorena father(not sure if listed) John Both parents are from the Sudbury area.
1563. ScottG74 : Her name is sharron irene monroe. She was born October 12th 1958. She listed her address in Picton Ontario
1564. Claudettean : I was born in Sault ste Marie, Ontario, Canada and was adopted through the children’s aid society
1565. Oh_my_what_the : born in st,catherines general hospital
1566. Tvas2313 : Birthplace was in St Catherine’s/Niagara region Tammy Wilson is the birth mother
1567. DustinWilliams77 : looking for Peter Gibson, adopted by a couple in Arnprior, the father was a professor and may have taught at Willis College in Arnprior, Canada. The family may have property on Saltspring Island.
1568. Ballobear373737 : The people that adopted him lived in Hamilton the mother was a secretary and the father was a lead hand at a factory the mother quit her job to raise him and they adopted another child 2 years later. he had blond hair and blue eyes and he was very happy
1569. Carolnieson777 : The people that adopted him lived in Hamilton the mother was a secretary and the father was a lead hand at a factory the mother quit her job to raise him and they adopted another child 2 years later. he had blond hair and blue eyes and he was very happy
1570. RobertJohnK1970 : I am helping my father in law search for his birth family. He was born at st Joseph’s hospital in London Ontario on July 26, 1970 to the birth name Robert John K. We believe his mother was not married when she had him so the K may come from her last name. He has completed a DNA test and believes he had connections to the Eckert family from seaforth and the Knapp family from the Windsor/Essex area. Please contact me with any further information.
1571. Sierrahfd203 : Biological mother is Tammy Wilson. Birth city is Niagara Falls or st.Catherine’s. Adoptive parents names are dave and joanne.
1572. Areyouthere123 : Born in Toronto at 1 am. Name given at birth was Sonja Francesca Feta. Mother was sent away and lived with my grandparents for short time. Till i was placed in foster care. I was adopted when i was 4 yrs old.
1573. MicheleMac : I have found my biological mom but wanting to know my dad
1574. Twymm : I am looking for my brother. Given name at Birth was Thomas. Mother is Joanne Smith (Cody) born March 15th. Father is Peter Johnston born September 26th 1961. My mother has passed away and am hoping to connect and meet my brother.
1575. Dandelion6754 : Adoptee’s name is Patricia Morelli. The city where adoption took place is Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
