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
10,986 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 1,205,525 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
-
Nymwen123
11 hours ago
-
StephanieJoan
19 hours ago
-
Kathymch
21 hours ago
-
JessicaHaddoc
13 hours ago
-
Kac1969
25 minutes ago
-
Sarahherren1
16 hours ago
-
Sarvanjoeo2011
18 hours ago
-
MarleneAgnew
20 hours ago
-
Sunny1smilesh
12 hours ago
-
Mcsscott
15 hours ago
-
Skwalker
15 hours ago
-
Alldolledup44
21 hours ago
-
Julia8888
4 days ago
-
Shawnammorey
4 days ago
-
AngelaPuhr
4 days ago
-
Jaygray
5 days ago
-
Sven709
5 days ago
-
Wecouldbestars
6 days ago
-
Stownes
6 days ago
-
Heather83Ashley
6 days ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
271. Doades : I was Born David John Bendall
272. Shawnalochrie : My little sister was adopted out and I believe a year old her name was Laura Jardine that’s the last that I remember her birth father’s name is Ian lochrie and her birth mother’s name is Kimberly Jardine I was only 12 years old when she was adopted out and I’m trying to find her I hope that everything was okay with her up bring and want to let her know that I’m here looking for her I want to get to know her so if you feel that this may be a match please feel free to contact me. I know that she was born in Toronto Ontario
273. Katbear88 : I was born in Peterborough Ontario Canada
274. CatherineLB : searching for medical history of birth parents BM-Donna May White-married name Chapman She stayed at Victor Home
275. Kbc123 : I was born at Mt Sinai hospital in Toronto. I was adopted within a year or two of birth. Birth mother name could be Bain.
276. Beers67 : I was born at Joseph Brant Hospital and you named me Gary Beers
277. Sarahboulay : I am searching for my sons Justus born in peterbrough Ont Macalob born in Peterbrough Ont and cody Moreau Born in Regina sask I am your birth mother i am open to contact if they wish not a day go’s by I don’t think about you guys I only hope I did the right thing by you guys
278. DrewGillespie : I would like to find the birth mother that gave birth to me and cared so much about me before she put me up for adoption. She was from Iroquois Falls‚ ON and was born in 1970. She was single when she gave birth to me and was given up for adoption within 2 weeks of my birth. She wrote me a personal letter to read when I turned 18 with my given name as the title‚ it was written 4 days after my birth. My birth father wanted nothing to do with me and I have no information pertaining to him with no interest in finding him.
279. Ruddick : Deborah Christine was born in Edmonton, Alberta on the 4th of September, 1968. The adoption took place in London Ontario in 1980. Prior to adoption she was placed into care at the Children’s Psychiatric Research Institute in London, Ontario on the 13th of January, 1975, and became a Crown Ward on the 22nd of January, 1975
280. KristopherJohn1 : I was told my mother had red curly hair. Born in st. Catharines s Kristopher John on March 6 1990. Mother Laurie pithouse.
281. Loriislooking : My birth name was Catherine Louise Zicker‚ I was adopted in Port Arthur Ontario within a couple of months of my birth. My mother was originally from the west coast and didn’t seem to want her parents to be aware‚ 1964 was a tough time to be pregnant and alone‚ my father was not in the picture. I’d like to get in touch with my mother & exchange information about our lives‚ at a level to which she is comfortable.
282. Lisarisebrough : I was born at East York General Hospital on September 25‚ 1965 at 3:20pm. (Toronto) My birth mother was 18 or 19 at the time. My birth mother gave me the name Sandra Dianne at time of birth. I was 4 days old when I was brought home to my adopted parents. My adopted parents names are Joan C Dashkin and Aaron Aubrey (Ubby) Dashikin. I am interested in knowing more about my medical background and meeting my birth mother if she is interested in meeting me.
283. MCMR : I think I was born in North Bay‚ Ontario.
284. Nnb55 : Bibic and Vejnovic
285. Bribrimarlene : Looking to find birth parents or birth family (sisters, brothers) for my adopted sister (she knows about it). She was born on August 26th 1965 in Ottawa. Was placed in the children aid society and was adpted at 6 months by my parents (her adoption parents). She’s blond, blue eyes, about 5 feet tall. Her name at birth was probably Elaine Samson. Her birth mother’s name would be Lucienne Samson. She would love to find some of her family members, her mom or dad, possible siblings, she would love to hear about her biological family and medical history.
