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
10,989 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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Ontario
-
Shawnammorey
4 hours ago
-
AngelaPuhr
4 hours ago
-
Jaygray
10 hours ago
-
Sven709
1 hour ago
-
Wecouldbestars
17 hours ago
-
Stownes
21 hours ago
-
Heather83Ashl
22 hours ago
-
Jason15627
23 hours ago
-
Geoff35
1 hour ago
-
Lianeopal
3 hours ago
-
NBlanch66
6 hours ago
-
TBriden21
19 hours ago
-
Rufus1968
1 hour ago
-
TaraFortier
1 hour ago
-
Sandbox2025
2 hours ago
-
TomSnyder-Dan
5 hours ago
-
JenRen519
7 hours ago
-
AmberRTucker
7 hours ago
-
Alexisguinane
10 hours ago
-
Shotingstar19
15 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
3211. 142976 : MALE WAS BORN JUNE15,1958 IN GUELPH BLUE EYES BROWN HAIR ADOPTION DONE IN GUELPH IAM SEARCHING FOR BIRTH MOTHER AND/OR FATHER AND ANY SIBLINGS WAS GIVEN UP AT BIRTH birth NAME JOHN ROSS MOTHER DOROTHY MARGARET ROSS NOV 1 1931 PACKER AT PICKLE FACTORY
3212. DebbieBertram : I was told by family and a psychic/medium that I have a younger brother that was given up for adoption. He was most likely born at the hospital in Bancroft, Ontario. Our Mom’s name was Fay Bruce.
3213. Jcfleming : I was told my name at birth was Jennifer Jean Born in Belleville Ontario
3214. Adoptionhalfsibling : my half sibling was born in Chatham Ontario at one of the two hospitals there.. probably Public General Hospital at the time and is now Chatham Kent Health Alliance...Her birth has been verified by the Childrens Aid Society of Chatham..I have non identifying information but not much to go on than she was raised on a farm and had a good childhood..She will be 66 this year..She had blond curly hair and blue eyes when she was little.
3215. Holly56733765 : I miss him so much I honestly just want to know he is alright maybe get to see what he looks like.something
3216. PamGareauDasilva : Searching for birth parents or family members of (adopted name) Laird Bergin. DOB, July 6, 1944 or thereabouts. Adopted in Toronto, but was likely from Quebec (or so says Ancestry DNA info).
3217. Foggia : Im looking for julia from Hamilton Ontario born 1995 adopted maybe at 6 months father tony figliola looking for her
3218. Shiilasonia : I am looking for my daughter shiila÷storm curtis who was adopted out by family children services in 2019 in st catharines ontario. I am her mother Sonia curtis you can contact me
3219. Kellymai : My mothers name is Nancy Power And I have a half sister named Kim
3220. Janemcvicker : my daughters name is gloria elizabeth mcvicker born in peterborough ontario on september 24, 2004 and adopted in 2013 . gloria has had contact with my father daniel paul mcvicker but not my mother gloria dawn dale nor my bother andrew paul mcvicker or his children troy or natalie
3221. Smithsheena : My father was born William Ronald Holder. Was adopted in Kingston Ontario before he was 2 months old.
3222. Smithsheena : Looking for my mom’s birth family. She was Born in Ottawa, Ontario
3223. Saracreighton : I have found out that I have a brother that was put up for adoption at birth. He was named Brian. He was born at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital I believe in 1977, possibly the end of 1976. He was given the first name Brian. His birth parents names were Heather S and Martin C. I have an older brother. We have just found out about you today We are looking for you.
3224. Georgiacarbary : I’m reaching out now because l want to be sure he had a good life and my decision was the right thing to do. Also l have 2 children that would love to meet there big brother who was born at Henderson hosp.by Dr.Wylie in Hamilton . Adoption was done thru the Presbyterian agency that was on Wentworth south at the time.
3225. Hairgirl : Hello all! I was born Patricia Susan on July 9 1963. Adopted in Toronto Ontario Canada. I’m looking for siblings and possibly a twin?! I have no other information. I took a DNA test and.... I’m 85% Irish. I was raised in a German household. I have a distinct birthmark and wondering if I share this with anyone else!!
