Ontario Adoption Records
The world's largest adoption reunion registry for adoptees and families
Start Your Search Today
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.
Register Now Directory
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 1,205,519 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
-
Nymwen123
10 hours ago
-
StephanieJoan
19 hours ago
-
Kathymch
20 hours ago
-
JessicaHaddoc
12 hours ago
-
Kac1969
23 hours ago
-
Sarahherren1
15 hours ago
-
Sarvanjoeo2011
17 hours ago
-
MarleneAgnew
19 hours ago
-
Sunny1smilesh
12 hours ago
-
Mcsscott
14 hours ago
-
Skwalker
14 hours ago
-
Alldolledup44
21 hours ago
-
Julia8888
4 days ago
-
Shawnammorey
4 days ago
-
AngelaPuhr
4 days ago
-
Jaygray
5 days ago
-
Sven709
5 days ago
-
Wecouldbestars
6 days ago
-
Stownes
6 days ago
-
Heather83Ashley
6 days ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
1951. Justjunkjim : My birth given name was Ronald Adoption was by Toronto Childrens Aid . I was under 1 year when I joined my adopted family . I was born at East York Hospital.
1952. Kbarry : I know her name is Kaitlin/Caitlin and in the Barrie area.
1953. Scottwilliam1966 : Jeffrey scott Bryan Adoption final in 1967 Toronto
1954. Wendy69 : Her birthname was christine
1955. CousinJ : My cousin Chalyn’s son was taken from her when she was about 15-16 in 2010 she has a new son4 years old and would love to have them in each others lives the sons name was Joshua D Lee not shure of the middle name
1956. Burgoyne1 : The birth Mother was Theda Gertrude Beazley unmarried from Epworth Newfoundland. The birth took place early October 1950 in Toronto.
1957. Lorilyte : The Child Welfare Act, Adopton order, Veronica Ann Osterman born in township of east York
1958. Billlinadjeffries : Father much older had 3 kids with first wife who died. Mother in her teens married father. They had me (male)1955 and my 2 sisters 1958 and 1960. We were adopted together. Mother had another male child (you) in either 61 or 62. We think you were apprehended at birth and adopted as baby. Mother left father and was pregnant with girl who we have recently been reunited with. We all lived in Norwich County as children.
1959. Sbrimage : Born at st Joseph’s hospital in Thunder Bay.
1960. DianeLK : was born in Oakville Ontario
1961. AngieKR : Hi! I’m looking for my grandmother and any uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. My father was born August 1960 in Winchester, Ontario. I was told that he was taken at 2 months old and was adopted at 2 years old. His mother may have been Mohawk/Kanien’kehaka. His younger brother by the same mother was later adopted by the same family as well. I was also told that my grandmother struggled with addiction and spent time in jail, and if that’s true, there’s a good chance that she’s no longer living or that she’s in poor health. If any of this seems to match up for you, if you had a son/nephew/brother/cousin removed who might be my pops, reach out! Even if you’re not interested in meeting, I’d love to learn more about you and my family. :-)
1962. PLangelaan : Walsh, Kathleen. Searching for my birth mother. I was born in St. Catharines on July 16, 1965. Name at birth was Catherine Marie Walsh.
1963. PLangelaan : St.Catharines, Ontario. The Hotel Dieu. Kathleen Walsh
1964. Tansley : Birth mother colleen tansley. Trying to locate birth father. Born January 5 1986 with the name lindsay arron Possible fathers last name nightingale.
1965. Susanstokes1972 : Bio mother name is Wendy Jean Clarkson born c.1955. She lived in Caledon, Ontario. i was born at Peel Memorial Hospital. I was in a foster home for about 4 weeks, then adopted family took me home. Adoption was finalized march 1973
