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 1,204,964 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
2656. Jblumho : My mother was adopted in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The non-identifying information that we have received says that her father was Belgian and her mother was Dutch. At one time, her mother’s last name was Demmans. Her mother moved back and forth from the Netherlands to Canada.
2657. Beinian : I was born december 07 1962 at St Michaels hospital. I have been told my mother is Scottish and my father is black this is all i know. I’m a grown man and have children and granchildren .I need medical information from my parents as there are heart problems .Thank you for any help you can give me.
2658. MaryReimerMaryKnelse : Searching for my brother Martin Knelsen
2659. MaryReimerMaryKnelse : Searching for my sister Helen Knelsen, haven’t seen her in 8 years.
2660. JennRM : Your mother is Judy Flannigan she wasn’t married. Your father was Bill Pudafat (spelling?) You were born in Hamilton or Toronto.
2661. Janetgiles : Hello, I am searching for my birth parents and family members. I was born Oct. 8, 1956 at the Grace Hospital in Ottawa. My birth name was Donna Mae.
2662. Jproeder : I would love to be in contact with you
2663. KatSullivanCowan : Brother : Birth name was Jonathan Wade Coawn Born in London Ontario, At St Victoria. Would have been born November 27th(?) 1971(2)? To mother who was 14 years old, M.A Cowan. Was born with dark hair,healthy. Was adopted to a young couple German when he was about 18 months old? I believe in the Strathroy or Startford area.
2664. Jonathandrent : I was born as Micheal douglas now I am Jonathan drent I was born in port colborne and my mother’s name was sarah christine, and have a half brother peter I am not sure on the last names
2665. Michelle9889 : Looking for my Dad’s brother who was given up for adoption. The lived in Orillia Ontario at the time. His given name was Tim (Timmy) Lahay Couple years younger than my dad. Dad’s DOB was April 24 1957 6 siblings including Tim. Their parents names were: Mother’s name was Shirley Marie Hubbert Father’s Name was Ronald Victor Lahay
2666. Jennifermclelland : Hello. I am looking for my adopted brother who was born May 30th 198 at Guelph General Hospital with Dr. Huband. His birth name was David Seddon. We have the same father but different mothers. I do know his birth mother also. Will not include anyone else in a meeting unless he would like to meet the rest of his family. I have been thinking about this for a very long time and I very ready to meet my brother.
2667. Shirley59 : Place of birth London ont Agency was Salvation Army Name at birth was Shelly Cormier
2668. 1234boy : Smith Falls Hospital in Ontario. Or Perth Ontario. Born to mother Marlene Synider and father Terry Raymond Of Fort Fraser BC. Or Perth Ontario. Currently living in Fort Fraser BC. They have two sons I am a brother to the father and live in Vancouver BC.
2669. Harleyding : St.Catharines , Ontario. General Hospital or Hotel Dieu?
2670. Sheller3 : I would love to meet you and see who you are. I am sorry that I gave you up but at the same time, I know that it was the best thing for you.
