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 1,204,958 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
1696. Sylvie16 : I was born in Toronto area however my birth mother is from Selkirk Manitoba .... her name is Maryanne. I would like to find my birth father. The mother did not put his name on the birth certificate.
1697. KEAMMC01 : Born in Kingston, Ontario. Birth mother was from the Renfrew area I think. Just want medical information.
1698. Particia : Looking for birth sister born January 16th 1965 inOttawa Ontario.Name given at birth Donna Gail Desjardins.I was also adopted and have located and met both Mother and two half siblings and finding my biological sister would complete this puzzle called my life.Thanks in advance for any help that may be given.
1699. Rainstreet : Birth father - Stanley McDonald
1700. Hayleyrbrowne69 : Mother is Lorraine Elizabeth Browne. Grandmother Lillian sisters Deborah and tanara
1701. Sarahjean269 : My birth mom has schizophrenia and I have a sister and two brothers who were also adopted out I also think my sister has some type of walking disease or skin disease.
1702. Ianinnapa : I am searching for the adoptee male born in Peterborough, Ontario to Glenn McIvor and Carol Sullivan. This would have been in the late 70’s. Glenn McIvor has since passed on and he is my brother. I would love to see if I can locate him.
1703. Michelleabutler88 : I was born in the Port Arthur General Hospital Oct. 30 1957. My bio name was Mary Louise Lucas. I am 1 of 2 children born to my bio parents. I was place in cas at 7 months. Adopted in 1958. Looking for bio family.
1704. Jeanalookingforsis : you have two siblings from your mother side myself born 1986 and your brother who is approx 22... your mom is cree from saskatchewan but lived in vancouver all her adult life and your dad is asian...mom has passed away since 1995 and i have no info on your dad we have different dads as well. i think you were adopted from bc and moved to ontario ......i only have stories of you no name. our mother would share pics and info about you to our brothers mom thats the only reason i know this info our aunty saw our mom when she was pregnant with you....i would love to have a sister please god connect us...i live in vancouver...
1705. Jeanayoursister : Hello, My name is Jeana . I am looking for my half sister. We have a younger brother who was adopted in Richmond, BC. She would of been born between 1988-1993. She is half native and half asian (as far as i know) We share an aboriginal mother whos name was Leifa Poorman who died in 1995. I was born in Saskatchewan. I predict my sister was born in either SASK, ALBT ,BC, ONT, or QUEBEC. I have tried multiple searches for years and have come up with nothing. only recently found adopted.com i uploaded dna and hope that helps. I don’t have a name only a story of her. I hope to reach my sister ..I only want to bring love to her life. If your out there please find me.
1706. Louisalittle : I would love to find my birth mother.
1707. Valerie1957 : Surname Watson at birth‚ Peterborough area‚ CCAS.
1708. JonathanSenia : Hamilton Ontario St. Joseph’s Hospital Yolanda Oliverio Leonardo Senia
1709. ChristineH2 : Father had children before he married my mother, so looking for half sibling. Posible 3 of them.
1710. 2macsmom : Born July 14 1980 at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie Ontario Birth name Randolph Charles Plummer
