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 1,204,961 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
1921. UrbanFusion : I was born Aaron George Ward in August 1980 at Grace Hospital in Ottawa and I am searching for Mary Michele Ward (Birth Mother) who was born March 26, 1959 in Bridgetown, Barbados and any other family members who would like to connect.
1922. LornaLougheed : Looking for a Half Sibling that was put up for adoption 1969 in the Owen Sound Area. My mother was enrolled in Nursing school and was asked to give up her Baby Girl to attend school, she lived up near Lions Head.
1923. AuntPattyForbes : I am looking for my nephew Christopher (either Wooley or Forbes) born in either 1986 0r 1987 Do not know your birthdate.Every thing was kept a secret!.His birth dad is also looking but has no information.He did not know the baby boy’s mom Carol Forbes was pregnant.He was only told she had the baby last year when he was on his death bed.Jim’s mother told him she took Carol to London ,Ontario and he was placed up for adoption.His mother’s sister Tammy Forbes helped to do this.Carol was very young and did not have the support she needed.She has passed away and buried in St.Thomas,Ontario. Your biological dad is looking for you.You also have three younger sisters by a different father Donnie Roberts (also deceased) Sisters names are Christina,Michelle,and Shaylene who were adopted by their adoptive family from Nova Scotia.Shaylene and Christina live around Kingston or Ottawa,Ontario area. Michelle lives in Nova Scotia and has a little boy.We are all looking for you.Would be happy to meet you and your adoptive parents,wife,children.If you know Christopher please have him contact Patricia Forbes on Facebook or Vicky Wooley your dad’s wife.Thanks so much and really everyone is looking for you.None of us know how or where to find you.You can get your adoption disclosure! Children’s Aid Family and Social Service
1924. Emilycecelia1623 : I was never told who my birth dad was
1925. Thrower737 : Brother’s name: William Birth last name: Thrower Shared Father: Albert (Bert) Elvin Thrower Place of birth: probably Wolseley Saskatchewan
1926. NancyMacphaden : My birth name was Faith Solomon. Mothers name was Mary Solomon. I was born in Toronto, Ont.
1927. JeremiahMBeaudrow : Looking for biological father. His name is Ian Holmes. My birth mothers name is Krista Beaudrow. They met in Ottawa Ontario
1928. Mommabear1980 : My mother was 16 and gave birth to a baby boy in April of 1974. The birth was in a port colborne ontario at port colborne general hospital My mothers name is gail Elizabeth. I’m not sure if she went by this full name at the time of the child’s birth but I’m willing to try and I would really like to make a connection. I would like to know if found if we could meet and if he would like to meet some of his biological family and know some of his medical back ground. you would be approx. 50 years old. please if this sounds like you then lets connect
1929. MelanieD87 : All I know is at birth he got adopted out. I know his name was Micheal Durham.
1930. Chloe17 : My moms name was Jean Marilyn Coones I was adopted from the Toronto children’s aid society she was on her 30’s when she had me
1931. Patt1976 : Twin boys at birth St-Mary’s Hospital Timmins Ontario
1932. Jason72 : Birth mother name Linda Derry age 16 at time of birth Birthplace West Hills Hospital, Scarborough, Ontario Canada Birth mother stayed at Salvation Army home for unwed mothers in Scarborough ontario Canada
1933. Salleek8 : My Mom just told me that she gave up a baby girl for adoption nearly 50 years ago. We would all love to know how she is doing.
1934. Salleek8 : Looking for my half sister. Born Feb 12 1969 in Ontario. She is half Japanese, half caucasian.
1935. Eightzero84 : Anne
