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
2956. Lauren4277 : My name is Lauren Hill. I am 38 years old and I am trying to find my birth parents. I was born at McMaster hospital in Hamilton Ontario. I was born prematurely by almost a month. I have been dealing with health issues and I want to see if there is a history of these illnesses in my family. I have been looking for over 10 years and still haven’t had any success.
2957. Alex1968 : I am mostly of British descent but also have some native Canadian blood in me.
2958. Leannedoucet123 : Desseray Doucet birthday Jan 27/03 and her sister Daisy Doucet birthday is may 10/04 they where taking from victory Avenue in welland Ontario..I’m the birth mom plese help me find them..Leanne doucet
2959. Klassique : My daughter who was adopted name is Klassique Robinson. She was born at the Humber River Hospital. My name is Andrea Robinson and I am her biological mother
2960. Tilba : My father was adopted in Canada and went to live with his adopted parents to England, UK about 1921
2961. Jeanson : Please help me find my nephew. He was born in November or December 1964 at either Oakville Trafalger Hospital or the Presbyterian home for unwed mothers in Clarkson called Omagh. My sisters name was Jean Sutherland I do not know who the father was. I think your birth name was Andrew? You have a brother and sister who would love to meet you and a huge family of relatives who would love to meet you also. Please contact me my name is Dorothy Reynolds I live in Hamilton‚ Ontario thank you.
2962. Debbie2012 : Looking for John Paul born September 2, 1961 Victoria hospital London Ontario
2963. AlliLerner : Born at Toronto East General hospital Dr Martin Taylor
2964. TinaRoseMackie : Her name at birth was Ashley Lynn Mackie Born in Barrie ont at RVH hospital My name is Tina Rose Mackie The adoption agency I used was in barrie. But the lady I went through passed away. The adoption family I chose did not keep her due to she might of been blind. I dont remember the exact dates.
2965. LjClarke : Born at Scarborough General Hospital. Adoption arranged by Catholic children’s aid to a catholic family (of unknown location)
2966. Rseebeck1967 : Born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Name give at birth : Margaret Mae Chaplin
2967. Kylaann2017 : My mother Barbara lived with the Lear famiy in Toronto when pregnant and named her daughter Debbie who was adopted by a Hannigan family in 1950/51
2968. Kylaann2017 : My mother Barbara had a daughter she named Debbie who was adopted by a Hannigan family the other side of Toronto - my mother lived with the Leaf family at the time
2969. Fuzzybear75 : My parents are Rosemary and David farrer both deceased
2970. Raygacor : I learned from the Ontario Children’s Aid that my birth mother gave up another son for adoption 14 mmonths after I was born and that the father is the same that fathered me.
