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
1801. Channonc : All I know is that my sister’s name is Shelley and she live in the GTA area. She contacted my mom twice, once to say she wanted to meet both of us and was curious about me and then the second one was to let my mom know that she did not want to meet her. She did not say anything about me so I hope she will meet me.
1802. Roseatkinson5 : He name is Mackenzie she was in and out of foster care and living with our mom until she was about 5. The last place she was known to be living was Weland ON, but our mom was also living in Dundas ON. Her birth moms name is Cindy O’Neil and the birth father is Ronald Atkinson. She also has an older brother who lives with me and was adopted by our grandma.
1803. Tracymilligan1968 : Patricia finnan ...st Joseph’s hospital . Elizabeth Ann ..maybe red hair
1804. Claudxander : Toronto ontario at st josephs hospital marlow may be birt mothers name
1805. Mareegia : I am searching for my biological father All I know is his name and that he used to live in Caledon I hope I meet you someday I know my mother knows where you are but I just recently even knew your last name
1806. Emilyanne1705 : I am looking reconnect with my birth mother to find out more about my history. I have very few details of the adoption, however was born March 1 of 2000 in the Orillia Soldiers Memorial weighing around 6 lbs to a mother who I have been told previously had a son with cystic fibrosis and placed me for adoption due to the chance I may have had the same condition. my parents were notified about me almost immediately following birth and she would have spent very little time with me. Possible medical relations: I’m 5"2 but was told my mother is 5"1, i have natural brown hair (was born with blonde) and blue eyes. If you believe you are my birth mother or brother even please feel free to search me up on Facebook and message me! I would love to reconnect
1807. RandallHoness1961 : Birth name Bryson McDonald (or MacDonald) born in Sault Ste. Marie August 27 1961. Adopted name Randall George Honess. Looking for background info (especially family medical history) and birth family members. Born in General Hospital in the Sault. Looking for any living siblings. I’m assuming that at age 57, (learning from CAS my birth mother was over 40 when I was born and my father was a "Logger" from Quebec), that my birth parents are deceased. I’ve been told my my Grandmother that I have siblings that were 15-20 years old when I was born and that the family lived around Thessalon Ontario. That’s all I know.
1808. ShaneG : Born at Cambridge Memorial Hospital
1809. BJaneHall1963 : I was born in Niagara Falls April 22, 1963. I have found my birth mother Norma Spinelli (Mundy) , but am currently seeking to locate my birth father, who I believe lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario. His first name is Tim. (Possible last name Ladas). He was born in Greece in 1940 and came to Canada in 1956.
1810. MrsC1996 : I was born in the general hospital in what was then Frobisher Bay NWT. My mother’s name was Sharon Latimer. She worked for ITC and was from Ottawa ON. It was just the two of us until 1977 when my mother married Roy McEwen ( who adopted me) My birth father lived in the NWT, I believe he was working for the Government. He was French. I believe his last name was Bisson or Brisson- but not sure.
1811. CatherineA : Mother last name Rasmussen from Aurora Father last name Nesbitt Birth names Susanna Florence Nesbitt
1812. SReason : Hey, I am looking for my half brother who was named Chris at time of birth. I don’t have the year but I will assume late 70’s to mid 80’s. I believe he was born in the Barrie area but I could be wrong. Birth mothers name is Lyla Belanger, I am sorry if the spelling is wrong. Fathers name may have been listed on certificate, Michael Reason, who is my biological father. Unfortunately he will not give me any information, I am lucky to have the information I have. I am looking to connect with my brother. :)
1813. DENTAR : Looking for my husband’s sister who was born February 28th 1964 at Scarborough General hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Her name at birth was Valerie Irene Virolainen. The mothers name was Brenda Virolainen
1814. RuthParkinson : I was adopted at the age of 3 months through The Children’s Aid Society. I was born at Women’s College Hospital.
1815. Kimmif : hi. i just recently found out i have a brother. our mother has passed away and didnt tell me about u. i would love to meet u
