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.
Register Now Directory
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 1,204,962 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
1606. Pcps9097 : Toronto, Butt
1607. Btheoret : My mother, Barbara Theoret, gave up a baby girl for adoption in the early 70’s. This was not her choice, it was forced upon her by her parents. She named the girl Cynthia and she was adopted by a family in Ottawa, ON. If I remember correctly, the family was of Irish decent - I found some papers she received while searching for her daughter. She was at St Mary’s Home in Ottawa ON for her pregnancy.
1608. Sdrempel : Name at birth was Donna not sure on spelling.
1609. LizDay70 : Born in Mississauga and adopted into Brampton.
1610. Tony5225 : My Birth Mothers Name Is Maryanne Martha Lisik. She Was Approx. 17 Yrs. Old When I Was Born In Hamilton Maternity Hospital. I Was Adopted Through The Catholic Childrens Aid Society In Hamilton Ontario By Glenn And Bernice O’Hara.
1611. JenniferSieja25 : I was born in a hospital in Oshawa Ontario Canada, I’m not sure of the name. I was recently told my birth mothers name may have been Melissa Bryant. I know I have siblings out there, but i have no idea who they are. My biological mother was very young and my biological father was never in the picture. My biological mother waited a very long time before she went to her OBGYN when she was pregnant with me, I believe she was around 7 months. I was told my Biological mother’s parents were not supportive of her pregnancy and this played a huge role in me being adopted.
1612. Judge1965 : Looking for info in the Judge Family. Baby born Aug 1965 - would like to know the names of the parents - first name at least.
1613. 1992sab : My birth name was shane Andrew bowler my birth mothers name is Linda bowler I was born at bellivelle general hospital on may 17th 1992 I really wanna find my birth mom so I can find myself
1614. SherryStenson : Hello I am looking for my adopted sister and brother. There names are Anne-Marie Hardy at birth and Randy Ragoobar at Birth. I am there half sister Sherry Stenson and I live in Ajax Ontario. You were adopted in Ontario Mississauga I think. I was really young when they were adopted. Just want my sister and brother to know that they are not forgotten and never will be and I pray we get to find them both for the sake of our father Partap Ragoobar who loves and misses them more than words can say.
1615. TanLady : Born at St. Joseph Hospital in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. My birth Mother was 17yrs. old at my birth and spoke French. She named me Racheal St. Onge.
1616. Welcometomylife : Searching for my parents I was born Jan 23rd 1988 in Belleville general Hospital county of hastings. My name at birth was Anita tammy Elizabeth louise red your name was bonnie sue bowden now reid I miss u guys and love u please msg me if your my parents or if u know them thanks
1617. TinaDolan-McGraw : Toronto... Toronto East General hospital....1987...name Brandon William Dolan at birth
1618. AngieLatham : My mother, Susan Latham, was 16 at time of birth and bio father about 17 his name is Donnie Adam’s. He was from the new dundee/ kitchener area and I was born at st Mary’s hospital, kitchener. Although I would love to meet him, I understand how disruptive it could be, without judgements . However, I’d be happy with finding out family medical history. I only recently discovered his name, having been told all my life a different name and that he was deceased.
1619. KrystleM600 : My name krystle McNamara my mom is Stacey langlois and dad Frank McNamara Sudbury Ontario possibly Toronto for birth place .
1620. Wanda6549 : Trying to help my step-granddaughter find her sister. You were born Chrystal Sacco(Kristal, Crystal), on September 26, 1988. You were born at Hamilton General Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada at 8:23a.m., and weighed 3lb. 13oz. Your mothers name was Sheri Sacco. You have a sister and grandfather that have been searching for you and want to meet you.
