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 1,205,528 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
1711. LeterteN : I am searching for my mother’s parents she was adopted with her sister in 1967 she was born in Halifax but was adopted in York Toronto
1712. Daddy_david : son was adopted out crown ward in Hamilton Ontario...I have all 3 of my children awarded custody to me to present with support of catholic childrens aid society..need to find my son please help me david moore he was apparently last in calgary alberta not sure of his whereabouts now
1713. Foueys : My half-brother was born to Carol Ann Fumerton (nee Feltham) at the Grace Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. He was adopted to a couple in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario area, probably to a community with less than 25,000 people at the time. His birth father was born in 1918 and worked for the Canadian Armed Forces at the time of his birth. He was born with blue eyes, reddish-blonde hair, and a fair complection. He suffered from many allergies as a baby. You have four half-siblings and two step-siblings on your mother’s side. As your only other sibling that was adopted, I found our birth mother’s family a few months ago. We were kept secret from our siblings. Now that they know about you, they are as eager to find you as I am. I have known about you since the early 90s when I received non-identifying information on my adoption and birth parents.
1714. Foueys : I was born at the Civic Hospital in Ottawa Ontario to Carol Ann Fumerton (nee Feltham). I also had a half-brother given up for adoption in 1965. Looking for half-brother. Probably named ? Fumerton at birth.
1715. Queenlorene123 : i was born in hotel dieu grace hospital in windsor ontario mother was 24 years old went to foster care adopted around 9 months old was under children aide society
1716. Jackie122 : I know that I was born in Toronto Ontario on january 30, 1966. My mother was in her early 20s working as a stenograpghr. I believe my father was in sales. He enjoyed hockey. My birth mother named me Jacqueline Kimberly. I got this info from non identifying information
1717. DebbieFunk66 : Hello, my name is Debra Allison Funk, born Deborah Lynne Giddins. I was born in the Toronto General Hospital on April 15th 1966. My birth mother is Gloria May Giddins, she lived at the Humewood house at the time of my birth. She was aged 20. I’m assuming the likelyhood of her last name being changed is high. Her birth year would have been 1946. If anyone has any information please come forward. Thank you so much.
1718. Cwanderson110 : Mother name at birth Eldona Mae Moore d.o.b. Dec 31, 1939 Hamilton General Hospital
1719. Member234495 : I am searching for my biological mother, father and any half siblings. I was born at the Toronto Western hospital on December 16, 1967. My birth name was Anne Teresa Harrison. I have been told that my cultural background is Scottish (mother) and Portuguese (father). My mother was apparently very young (16) and gave me up for adoption for that reason. I’m not sure if my father new about me.
1720. TashaunaL : Boen in port hope ontario. To mother donna and father michael. Birth name was megan laurie. Born in april of either 1989 or 1990. I believe she was adopted to a family friend 5 days to weeks after birth.
1721. Bradyrenaud98 : Kitchener Last name: uphill 5 siblings
1722. Auburnlady : The adopted girl we are searching for was born in London, Ontario at Victoria Hospital. Birth name given was Kathrine Elaine. Birth mothers name was Lois Anne Dufton.
1723. Dmacinroy : My name is Douglas Eric Macinroy..birth mother was Margaret Woods she was 22 at my birth 1964. Father was Douglas Edward Macinroy he was 30. Was born in Toronto . Any information on them and any other family members would be appreciated Thank you
1724. A57stinson : My mother had a child out of wedlock when she was about 16. This would have been mid to late 1940s. Her parents sent her to a Catholic home in Montreal or Ontario or Quebec‚ to have the baby‚ which was immediately given up for adoption. Her name was Marguerite Anne Phillip’s. Paternity info is not known.
1725. Nathalie77 : I been trying to find my daughter for years and ever where I searched I get no answers, please help me find my daughter at birth I named her Nathalie and my name is Nathalie Jones..... I would like my daughter to know I love her so much I really can’t wait to hold her in my arms .... My daughter want you know that it’s not my fault and you can trust me .... Your. Mother Nathalie Jones
