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
3121. Rca-Victor : Hi Andre‚ I’m your youngest brother Martin. I want to meet you since our mother died in december 2010. We know about you since she died only. I make several research but without response. I have make a research at the Saint-Catherine’s General Hospital (Niagara Falls) but without succes. Also‚ I inform you that our father died on May 2017. We are four brothers in the family: The first: Is you‚ Andre (born on May 1963) the second is Louis (born on September 1964) the third is Serge (born in October 1967) and the fourth‚ me‚ Martin (born on October 1970). I would be very glad to meet you. Please‚ write me if you wish. The picture on my profile seems be you with your daughter but I’m not shure.
3122. Tyinthewind : Searching for baby boy born July 19, 1975 at Centenary Hospital in Scarborough, Ontario. Private adoption arranged through physician Dr. McKay.
3123. Cythyret : Victoria Hospital, London Ontario. I also know from Children’s Aid Society letter that I have a half brother that was given up for adoption 5 years earlier in 1961.
3124. Vwmeg1 : I have been told that my Dad fathered a child when he was 16 that was given up for adoption. My father was from Renfrew, ON. I have been told the child was adopted out in southern Ontario, but I’m not completely sure.
3125. NadeanStone : I am looking to find my half brother, approximate age 70, who might live in Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His father would be Vinko Tatarevic.
3126. Margueritedorie : Born Jan 17,1968 at Peterborough St.Joseph’s Hospital,Jeffery Dorie,adopted out by CAS about 1 month later
3127. Fisherjm : Searching for Male Adoptee born February 02, 1977. Brockville General Hospital, Brockville Ontario Leeds County Canada. Name given at birth Michael David Knowlton Fisher.
3128. Londonbro63 : Birth family of Robert James Patterson born jan 6, 1963 in north York general, Ontario canada
3129. Bfap777 : Looking for birth family (mother, father, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins), I was born Jan 11, 1971 at Peel Memorial Hospital, Brampton, Ontario. I was adopted through York County Children’s Aid on February 17, 1971. I was given the name Elizabeth at birth. I understand that my parents were from Quebec and that my mother was adopted herself.
3130. Chauffeurboy : Born Richard Neil Nairn , in Scarborough General Hospital.
3131. Tayvianna : My name is Tayvianna, and i’m looking for my dad, which my mother said his name is Matthew Vassell, that is all the information I have on him, and if anyone knows ANYTHING about him please please let me know! Thank you. :)
3132. Carriels : searching for blood relative for geneological/medical information. I was born Carrie Louise Jamieson, 9 January 1957 in Windsor Ont. Adoption by a RCAF family from Aylmer,was processed via The Children’s Aid Society St Thomas Elgin County effective 1 March 1960. Possible First Nations heritage.
3133. 330020 : Name at time of birth - Mother: Linda Needler Name at time of birth - Father - Allan Carson Town born: Richmond Hill, Ontario Hospital: York Central Doctor: Sanders (worked out of King City, Ontario) Grandmother: Doris Nee4dler
3134. Philsaw4491 : Krista was born to Helmi Lind at Grace Hospital, York Toronto Ontario Canada and given the name Jenny Anne Lind on March 12th, 1964. I am now 91 years old and time is running out. I have being looking for a long time.
3135. MatthewKuipers : Jaquare/Kuipers/Agati !!Looking for CHUCK/LISA (Jaquare?)!! My name is Matthew Kuipers (20) I was born in Oshawa General Hospital on June 29 1993 under the name Cody/Codie/Kody (unsure of spelling) My last name at birth was Jaquare or something along the lines. I was adopted and given the name Matthew and Lastname Agati. I have since changed lastname to Kuipers. I was adopted with my two younger siblings Catherine(94)-born Crystal) and David(95)-born Connor) Our names were all changed.I am looking for my mother, her name is Lisa/Lesa and she resides in Oshawa from what I have heard. My fathers name is Chuck and i am unsure of his whereabouts but believe Oshawa aswell. I was told that I have many older siblings both brother and sister. I am looking for anyone..who can show me who I really am. please Email call or Text if any information is know on our case or the wherreabouts of my family. Thank you so much for your time..I hope this works
