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 1,204,964 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
1726. 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
1727. WAN1968 : Looking for birth parents and any siblings I may have. I was born in Seaforth Ontario and from what I know from non disclosure is I have a half sister that is 16 months older than myself and my mother is of German back ground with no identifying information about my biological father.
1728. Outaouais302 : KIMBERLEY ANNE MORIN born May 16,1971 at the GRACE HOSPITAL on Wellington street in Ottawa Ontario . Delivered by Doctor Burgess around 9 pm Mother AGNES MORIN She was sent to a family home for three months, I did see her once there, then children’s Aid took me to the court house behind BILLINGS Bridge shopping mall WHERE THE COURT PROCEDINGS WERE DONE .childrens Aid office was in billing’s bridge. A Mrs Hillser (????) was my contact at children’s aid in those years.
1729. Natashastevens : I am looking for Lori Ellen Edwards. I am your daughter Natasha. You left with me Michelle Durocher and Charles Durocher. Who gave me up to rose and Victor stevens. Please contact me. I am also looking for any other children of Lori Ellen Edwards.
1730. Mckennap_ : I am the daughter of Heather (Originally Amy) who was adopted as a baby. Her birth parents are Patricia Sutherland (Canadian) and Michael Hogan (Australian). They were in contact briefly before I was born.
1731. ChristineBeverly : Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I was born at McMaster Hospital....my birth mom would have been 17. My DNA info is also on this site, so if you want to know if you are my relative, please upload your raw data file here! :) During her pregnancy, it has been reported that she was originally from somewhere in Northern Ontario. I was adopted by a couple through the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton.
1732. Minniebessiedoreen : the adopted person was born in come by chance Newfoundland Canada . July 31, 1970 His name at birth was Ronald David Stanley He was in a foster home in Ontario and later adopted 1971, he was 18 months old. The adoption was done by Dr. A.E. King Oshawa Ontario ..... it was a closed adoption ...... I have given up all hope of ever finding him. Please , if you are this person reading this msg. Please email me ....
1733. Dmac060786 : North York General Hospital
1734. DaveN1978 : Was born in Pembroke Ontario at the Civic Hospital and was adopted roughly 8 months after being born
1735. ChristineBeverly : Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Reportedly, my birth mother stayed at a maternity home because I was being kept secret from her 2(?) younger (?) siblings.
1736. ChristineBeverly : Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. My birth mother reportedly stayed at maternity home in Hamilton, Ontario in 1975, and my birth father would come to visit.
1737. Johnny1955 : I’m looking for my son who was born at Grace hospital in Toronto . He was born September 18 1973 His mothers name is Sandra Marilyn Maclean ! The baby was named David Maclean at birth before adoption! I just found out that I am the father and I desperately would like to meet him ! Sincerely. John Schroeder
1738. Tbird43 : Baby was born in Richmond Hill. Name at birth was Kathryn Marie Barrett.
1739. Christinebalogh : Birth mother searching for my 2 sons. Their names at birth were Christian and Nathaniel. Both boys were born at St. Joesph Health Center in Toronto On. Myself and your other brothers and sisters are in search of both of you
1740. Jeanayoursister : I am looking for my sister......our mother has passed away... i have heard about you but have not been able to find you .... I know your half cree and half asian....message me!!!
