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 1,204,965 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
3016. Sudburymom : Her name at birth was Christine Dunn, born at the Sudbury General Hospital in Ontario. I am looking for my grandparents, or any other family members.
3017. Eileenhyett : Born in Ottawa Ontario‚ adopted within days of birth. I know my biological mom First name Christina Taylor I have never known anything or anyone on my biological father’s side! When my mom got pregnant I was told he left due to having another family. I’m not sure if they even know about me still but I know my aunt (father’s sister) was trying or thinking about adopting me. I know on my biological father’s side I had a brother!
3018. Themountie1968 : Oshawa General Hospital McKay Harris Mathew David
3019. Susanaburbach : Quatemala city hospital I assume.. My birth mothers sister gave birth to my cousin and we were adopted at the same time.
3020. Ghw1968 : Looking for information on health due to current medical issues, and want to provide my daughter with information on possible medical conditions. Also curious if there are siblings. Birth name was Garth Herbert Walsh. Born In Elliot Lake Ontario to Marjorie Marie Walsh, 24 years old. She was residing in Spanish Ontario. Originally from St. John’s Newfoundland. No father listed on the birth registration.
3021. Jk49 : Birth name Roger Carl Earle Prudhommme Ottawa Civic Hospital Dec 25/1950
3022. Sudbury : Name at birth: Lori Ann Robson
3023. TJMoore60 : I was given the first name of Gabriel at birth. I also do have the birth surname as well.
3024. HeidiP1981 : I’m searching for my 3 half brothers. Their birth names were Nicholas and Richard (twins), and Raymond. Nicholas and Richard were born November 10, 1988. Raymond was born a few years later. (I’m not sure when) Both births in Hamilton, Ontario. Our biological mother was Linda Davidson.
3025. JessicaMarkovic : I’m looking for my birth mother or father or any relative I was born in Parry Sound on October 2nd 1970 and adopted out to a family in Sundridge named the elik’s.
3026. QueenP2020 : Bio mom is, Possibly, from Middlesex, London area. Bradley Matthew Paterson birth name Daniel Waters Jan 9th, 1963. Half sister of same mother(also adopted) Is Janice Clarke born 1964. Birth mothers name is Catherine Waters, whom was also adopted into a non Catholic family, born 1945.
3027. Derrick56 : My name at birth was Derrick James Wilson ,born in Kingston Ontario at the Hotel Deui Hospital on Jan/17,1964 ,weight 6lbs 12oz term 40 weeks labour uneventful ,blood group A positive Certificate of birth registration no.05-64-011840
3028. Outaouais302 : I am the mother and Kimberley Anne was born May 16,1971 at the Grace Hospital in Ottawa, on Wellington street, the children’s aid department sent a lady to speak to me Mrs Hilser( not the correct spelling) , Kimberley was adopted at three months , they took me to a court house behind Billing’s Bridge Mall In Ottawa and I signed . She was adopted to a French Canadian family, father was in sales, the family name is PATENAUDE, adopted as MARIE LISE NATHALIE PATENAUDE PLEASE HELP
3029. Terri-lynn : Born in Hamilton, Ontario on Sept. 16, 1966. I have blonde hair and blue eyes.
3030. Sharonlundy : I was born in a hospital in Ottawa, Ontario on June 12/1964. My birth name was Donna L.MacKinnon, and my mother’s name is Charlotte MacKinnon. I was adopted from the Children’s Aid Society to a couple who were from Toronto but my Dad was temporarily working up in Ottawa. When I was 3 we moved to Mississauga Ontario. My brother who is also adopted just found his birth mom and I am hoping to do the same.
