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 1,205,523 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
2176. AndrewSmart : Birth City is Hamilton.
2177. Kenoragirl95 : Born and adopted in Dryden Ontario, Name at birth was James Edward Peter Thompson, adopted by Kenneth and Hazel Johnson, moved to Kenora, ON
2178. Lifeisaboulofcerry : I was borne Aug/30/1966. was borne at the Hospital in Ontario North York . Im a male brown hair brown eyes , my birth Mom had more than one child taken from here , my adopted Mother seed, My birth name is Bruce Mitchel . I may have the spelling wrong.
2179. Christian44 : Hey!! I was born in Toronto, Ontario. I believe i was premature, and born at Mount Sinai Hospital. I am an only child, and my birth name was “Clansey Rocco Savoury” i’m not too sure if that’s even how you spell it, but that’s it!
2180. AlanAA : Birth certificate registration number: 71-05-031697 Born in Scarborough ON Birth Name Michael Joseph C. Adoption in Oxford County Ontario
2181. Kevinfabian : My name is kevin fabian I was born June 2 1970 birth name not known I was born in Oakville ont .I am searching for birth parent and or siblings if any I would really like to know my heritage and other relevant info thx
2182. Carrie-Ann1990 : Baby removed from young unwed mother at birth. Birth mother told baby was dead but this appears to be untrue. Birth mother was not allowed to see or hold this baby. Birth mother was not told gender of baby. Birth mother believes the baby was placed with another family who may not know the circumstances of this child. Birth date is November 3 1990 in Sudbury ON. Sudbury General Hospital. **May have been adopted in another province or Country
2183. Markmcdowell : Born at kitchener-waterloo hospital Adopted around 3mos.
2184. Simmonskid : i need my dad Chris Simmons
2185. RobinJulia : Born in Peterborough Ontario
2186. EmilysHunt8282 : I was adopted in the year of 2002 by a woman in the city of Toronto, I’m currently 20 years of age. Looking for a Caucasian woman (birth mom) Or my Jamaican birth father. Not sure of ages. I have Brown eyes, curly hair and am a mixture of two beautiful skin tones. Not sure of hospital, agency or any other details. Thanks :)
2187. LindaGiraud : I know that I was born in Guelf Ontario in the county of Wellington. I know that my birth name is Sandra Arleen Roy. I have been told that my birth father had died in a car accident when he was in his 50’s. I have a sister that I found named Shirley Anne Roy and she was born in September 1950 that was also adopted out to another family. I know that I have a half brother born in 1954 (with same mom but different father) but I don’t know his name. I wasn’t ready before, but now I would really like to know the history of my parents and the family. Really looking forward to connecting with someone that might know something that can help me out!!
2188. Jenn1969 : I was born oct 11. .1971 in st Thomas Ontario
2189. DWTB2371 : Name on birth record Jeffery Vanyke Adoptive parents Jack and Elaine Gallagher Hospital born in- Scarborough General Foster care at 9 days old Adopted at 3 months old.
2190. Bobbijjo : My mom is Connie Eileen Donovan
