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.
Register Now Directory
11,079 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 1,198,411 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
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
241. Maree3 : I am looking for my biological father. I believe his name is Jim (Jimmie, James?) Dick (not sure of the spelling) who was born in 1937 +/- in Belfast, Ireland. He moved to the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area in 1956. His education was in Mechanical Engineering and worked for Pitney Bowes as an Estimator. He met my mother, Julie Harvey, who was from Australia and working the Toronto. I was born in Toronto and given the name Maree Ann Harvey. My parents never married and I know that my mother moved back to Australia.
242. K1968 : Name at birth Valerie Anne
243. Henryvincentbosklo : born in Guelph ont 012363 born premature named Donald j ames at birth. mom irish. father.... have five brothers mom had kidney probs.
244. ColleenKrissy : I m looking for my son Talis khon McCormack was ur name at birth he was born on November 3rd
245. Helenmarch48 : Child was born in Salvation Hospital‚ Ottawa to a single woman with last name Lubitz. She was from a German family and would have been about 19 and forced to give the baby girl up for adoption. Family are now looking for this girl‚ did not know about her until death of mother. Mother was from Pembroke‚ Ontario. Birthday was March 12-15. Would like to tell her about her family.
246. Melonie01Melanie02 : Just trying this site out and see what happens. Melonie Anne R MATERNAL SIDE FROM THE ROBINSON FAMILY PATERNAL SIDE‚ FROM THE ARNOLD FAMILY LOOKING FOR ANY / ALL FAMILY
247. Craigmackmicken : Born "Todd Edward F." on March 2, 1972, at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, Ontario. There may be a brother who is approximately 8-10 months older and disabled [possibly blind, deaf and physically disabled] and two older sisters who were about 5 and 6 in 1972. Father was part native and mother was Caucasian. Adopted in April 1974.
248. MiriamG : I was born at Peel Memorial hospital in Brampton. I know my bio parents were young
249. Rcosgrove : I was not listed on the birth registration. The mother gave birth to the baby in February of 1987 in the Toronto area. The birth mother was 17 years old at the time. You stayed in hospital for tests for two weeks and were adopted.
250. Medmonds : I am your Cousin, Mike. I wish to make contact if you do. You were probably born in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton or a nearby convent. Your birth Mother’s name was Pat Semenuk.
251. Kadamery : Trying to find my sister birth name Jackie Sue possibly Damery born within a few months of our fathers death which was September 1994.I only met her birth mother at our fathers funeral in September of 1994 in which I learned of the up coming baby and that she had an alcohol addiction. Our father was John Arthur Damery. I know John and her mom Sue lived in high park at the time but my father and I were estranged so I know nothing about her mother or the circumstances around my sister’s birth other then she was named Jackie after our dads late sister and Sue I believe after her mom.
252. BrandiShorthouse : Birth Mother was just found: Sherry-Lyn Walker, says bio Dad is Bill Stevenson who worked as a mechanic in Scarborough, ON in 1984/1985 and they met at a bar called The Cellar. Looking for bio dad.
253. Nojem123 : I am looking for a few answers, and any family members.
254. Ttkrammer : I am the oldest of 5. I have loss 2 sisters and 1 brother have 1 brother living but not close with for the the pass 15 years. Found out that a sister was given up and have been hoping that we could be make a connection that is why I have been connected with this site.
255. SallyGardner : On September 6th 1976 my heart was broken never to be healed. One minute I was full with child safe inside me and then I woke up and I was empty body and soul. I cried the whole time I was in hospital and through til the New Year when I fully broke down and couldn’t function. I can’t remember how long I was away in this other world of hell but eventually I returned and began my life again but never complete again. I had written a letter to you Matt explaining how hard it was to give you up. I never held you or touched you because I knew then I could never let go...I wanted you to know you were loved but my Dad kept the letter. A few years ago he found it and mentioned it but he had destroyed it by then. My sweet boy/man I just want you to know that I love you and miss you everyday of my life. Mom
