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 1,204,961 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
2671. Chrisgooby : Alisha Jane Hircock sought by Father
2672. Cosier : His name was Mark Crook. Born in Toronto
2673. KSlusarenko : Looking for adoption information for my Father who’s adopted name was Robert Charles Bryson. His adopted parents were Clifton Charles and Helen Elizabeth Bryson who possibly lived near the Ontario border in Quebec (Gatineau).
2674. GerardD : I am looking for my sibling, who was given up for adoption by my mother. Her name is Hendrika de Groot or she may have used her maiden surname- Cornet. She emigrated from Holland with my dad, gave birth to myself and my sister. My father passed away in 1961. My mother had a relationship and became pregnant. She, being a widowed 29 year old single mother of two, felt she could not manage another child. She choose to go to Toronto to carry the child, while working as a nanny, with the intent of giving the child up for adoption and hopefully have a better life than she could provide. This whole secret has just come to my attention very recently, and i would love to have contact with my brother.
2675. DesireeG : I’m looking for my birth father, his name is Michael Kennedy and is from Nova Scotia or Ontario. My birth mother who I’ve been in contact with is named Andrea.
2676. AbiRoman36 : Neil Joseph Potvin, born February 8th 1973 in the town of Sturgeon Falls, ON. Mother’s maiden name at birth was Judith Elizabeth Potvin. Father’s name was Gerry not sure of last name. He was born in the Sturgeon Falls hospital on main street Sturgeon Falls and was adopted out of an agency in North Bay, ON.
2677. Meelemeele : birth name was michael last name either beaulne or minicola born at st joeseph hospital in peterborough ontario. summer of 1965. was adopted in september of 1966. birth mother name is barbara beaulne. father unknown. had 5 other siblings. was born with browny red hair blue eyes fair eyelashes and eyebrows. and rolly polly.
2678. Tessink : Quinton Michael looking for birth mother Donna Marie Heaton. Quinton born February 17 1991. Donna Heaton born July 7 1967 in Waterloo Ontario.
2679. TummymummyDawnn : Hello Alexander, You were always loved and you will always be loved♡ The decision to contact me can be a challenging one. I can accept that for as long as you need me to. My heart has, and always will be, with you. You were born in North Bay Ontario at the McLaren site hospital. You weighted 6lb 12oz on December 20th 2002. Your mom and dad (Lori and Jon) met me at the hospital to take you home. The adoption was Semi-Open. I still cherish the letters and pictures I’ve been privileged enough to be gifted. My hope is to one day gain what my heart desperately misses and has never forgotten.
2680. Angelinabailey : born in Kitchener,1 older brother 2 older sisters
2681. Angelinabailey : esther, robert , kitchener siblings
2682. Mickeythornton : father name was kirk mueller, mothers name mary McDonnell (brock) adopted by mulligan, military, alberta
2683. Toddebrooks : It is uncle Todd Brooks I have been fighting since December 15, 2015 to have you (Troy Rivers) and your sister Kylie Rivers and brother Justus Rivers you where taken from use by Kawartha haliburtan CAS in Peterborough, ontario. they promised both your aunt Stacey McCaig and myself that even if you were adopted we could stay in contact but CAS lied and never let us visit or contact you and your siblings through writing us.
2684. SteveB74 : Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital Dr. W.E. Nurse, OB/Gyn Name given before adoption John Paul S.
2685. Kelly1596 : I am looking for my granddaughter who was named Samantha at birth and was born in Woodstock Ontario Canada. If she ever comes looking for family then I want her to find me.
