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
10,989 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 1,204,965 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
-
Shawnammorey
4 hours ago
-
AngelaPuhr
5 hours ago
-
Jaygray
11 hours ago
-
Sven709
1 hour ago
-
Wecouldbestars
18 hours ago
-
Stownes
22 hours ago
-
Heather83Ashl
23 hours ago
-
Jason15627
23 hours ago
-
Geoff35
2 hours ago
-
Lianeopal
3 hours ago
-
NBlanch66
7 hours ago
-
TBriden21
20 hours ago
-
Rufus1968
1 hour ago
-
TaraFortier
2 hours ago
-
Sandbox2025
2 hours ago
-
TomSnyder-Dan
6 hours ago
-
JenRen519
8 hours ago
-
AmberRTucker
8 hours ago
-
Alexisguinane
10 hours ago
-
Shotingstar19
15 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
2326. LHodgkinson1976 : My father dated Nancy Wharton in 1976. She will not provide me with a name for my father and is about to pass away with this information without me ever knowing.
2327. Okoksarah : dm me on instagram for a reply
2328. Rosiebear15 : My mother always felt she was adopted, possibly at the age of 3. She has unfortunately passed away as has my grandparents. Her adopted parents were Orma and William Slack. At the time of her adoption, they would have been living in the Bracebridge area. My mother was named Rosemary Slack
2329. Claregwgh88 : Toronto, Patricia Craig
2330. Andreajabra : I am searching for my birth parents or any family members I was born in Brampton Ontario on July 9, 1967 I was told my birth parents were in there early twenties and were both in college at the time I was born..
2331. Kslemmie : Birth name was tammy Marie holder.. born in kingston ontario
2332. Sylvie141 : Born at Montfort Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. Name at birth was Denise Patenaude. Adoption completed through Prescott and Russell’ Children’s Aid
2333. Pamelahobbs : I am seeking to find my real mother, Clare Margaret Hobbs who was 16 when she had me in 1965. Her address at the time was 42 Elm Street, Port Arthur, Ontario.
2334. SaraEthan : searching for birth mother. I was born on April 27th 1974 at Joseph Brant hospital in Burlington On. My name was baby girl Brooks.
2335. Hyperborean1982 : Hi! My name is Stewart. I was born on May 6,1982 at Mississauga General Hospital in Mississauga, ON. I know a few small details that the adoption attorney told my dad. Allegedly my mother’s name was Heather and she was born in 1961 which would have made her 19 at the time of my birth. She had 6 brothers and sisters by 1982 and they lived on a farm in the Belleville area. I was told that she did not have a relationship with my father, but not sure if that’s true. For most of my life, I wasn’t really interested in finding out nor did I think it was a realistic possibility that I would find my biological family until last Christmas when I got one of those DNA tests as a Christmas present. Come to find out I have some awesome first, second, and third cousins that I have gotten to know because of that. It seems as though I come from the Davidson/McLeese family that settled in the Ottawa Valley before Confederacy, so it’s cool to know that I’m from old Canadian stock! I’m not looking to invade someone’s new life or cause major turmoil, but I would like to find my mother and father if possible and I’m even more interested to know if I have any biological siblings. I sent the paperwork into the Provincial government, but I live in the US so I have no idea how long it will take them to locate records and send them to me. Anyhow, if anyone knows anything and would like to help, I would greatly appreciate it!
2336. Rachaelmcdaniel18 : Looking for my daughter Hannah Marie Whan. She was born at Smith Falls hospital on April 24/2001 And we lived in the town of Smith Falls. Not sure where she is abouts now. The agency that was involved was Perth CAS. She has family in Carleton Place, Ottawa and Smith Falls. Her father also lives in Smith Falls I do believe. Hannah Marie has 4 siblings names Jodi-Lynn 16, Kendra Dakota 13, Kaitlyn Elizabeth 12 yrs old and Kayli-Lynn who is 10 yrs old. My daughter Hannah Whan who now is 18 has brown hair, brown eyes and wears glasses. I’d really love to rejoin with my oldest daughter Hannah Marie Whan and rebuild the love I have for her. And I’m also hoping to rejoin with all Hannah’s siblings (all my daughters) to rebuild the love I have for my girls. And to rebuild the relationship and love I always had for my girls. Hannah, Jodi and Kendra were adopted to one family and my other two girls Kaitlyn Elizabeth and Kayli-Lynn were adopted to seperate families. I just want to rejoin with all my girls and be able to rebuild a relationship as mom to them and show them I always always loved them.
2337. Matty15 : Jody Allen Austin born July 30 1976 looking for and family out there . Scarborough grace was the hospital thank you.
2338. Janetmclean1963 : I was born Marie Cote at the Ottawa Civic Hospital on June 25, 1963. I believe Cote would be my fathers surname but not certain. Father was born in Ottawa around 1944/ or 1945. My birth mother gave me up for adoption as she was only 16 (born in 1947 in Montreal). At the time of my birth in 1963 they lived in Oxford Mills, Ontario. My mother had lived there for approximately 5 years. I was placed for adoption on May 23, 1963 with Nelia and Patrick Mahern. My adoption was finalized on January 29, 1965 and my name was changed to Janet Marie Mahern
2339. Crazyhead1 : nadia corazza birth morther lived in Sudbury Ontario was about 16 when she had me my birth name was lily corazza and is now Juliette chouinard
2340. Nickpost : Mother. Margaret Jones Father. Charles Lalonde Born in Cornwall Ontario
