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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10,986 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 1,205,524 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
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
3271. Kaleigherinpike : I’m searching for my mothers birth parents. Her name on her birth certificate is Kimberly Ann Henry. Born in Etobicoke on October 3rd, 1966. She was adopted through Children’s Aid Society by her adoptive parents named Eleanor Anne Call (mother), and Ernest Douglas Call (Father). That child was given the name Brenda Lynn Call and was placed in the home of her adoptive parents on August 4, 1967 and under the supervision of Children’s Aid Society of Metropolitan Toronto, pending adoption. The final Adoption order was signed March 4, 1968 and forwarded to Mr. and Mrs. Call, 95 Cavehill Crescent, Scarborough, Ontario. Signed by (Miss) Marilyn Noel, Department Supervisor, Adoption Department.
3272. Annettebrillinger : hello I am looking for my twin Granddaughters who were put up for addoption with Catholic CAS in Hamilton your birth Mother was Kathy Bullock your Father was Gary Brillinger/Thompson your birth names were Katrina Clanssa and Kendra Sierra Bullock I do love you both even though we have not met
3273. Annettebrillinger : My twin granddaughters were born in Hamilton Ontario in November 1999 their names at birth were Katrina Clanssa Bullock and Kendra Sierra Bullock their Mothers name was Kathy Bullock and Father Gary the girls adoption was finalized in December 2000 I have baby pictures of them my name is Annette Brillinger 9055171574
3274. Shellyhallman : My mother had a daughter (possibly son) when she was 16 and gave it up for adoption. It was in missassaga Ontario. We think it was the summer of 1969
3275. Maryannemc : Born in Windsor, Essex county, Ontario, on or about the 26th of July 1960. Adopted at 2 week’s of age. Birth name Kelly Clark (e)
3276. LisaHutch : Born Kelly Lynn - Mother was named Nancy and Dad Colin - ski instructor
3277. LisaArd : Marilyn Cheeseman was adopted by Ernest and Beatrice Belva (Beacraft) from Viola Mabel Gillett or Gillette
3278. Hopesandra : Hello my brother has passed away and i waited till his son was old enought for me to try to find him but i am the aunt and i want him to know how to get ahold of me if he ever came looking he was born at wellesley hospital in toronto at birth his name was Michael james his birth mom was MARY BARBARA Ann TAYLOR FATHER JAMES ARNOLD DURHAM HE WENT BY( JIMMY) .On Oct 3 1988 he was place with his adopted parents and on july 3 1989 he was legal adopted to them i have been searching but getting no where his adopted parents the mother was in her early thirties and the father was in his early forties the adopted mother was born in Canada and was of Italian decent adopted father he was born in Italy and was a Italian decent I am hopeing you can help me like i said my brother is passed and i didnt no the birth mother but i do know she is in prison for killing a police officer Thank you .and my name is Sandra Durham i live in Toronto and i am 55 years old
3279. Lanashannon3 : I was born June 27th‚ 1970 at the Sudbury General Hospital. I believe I was 4 weeks early weighing 5 lbs. I understand that my birth parents were young and wanted to continue in school (college‚university). I respect their decision and am thankful for the parents that raised me.
3280. Trisha040582 : I am male born at Cobourg Hospital, March 25, 1980. Given up for adoption immediately following birth through Children’s aid. My birth mother was a struggling single young woman wanting me to have a better life. My birth mother was petite red straight hair as per the description I was given. I am now looking to connect with her or any aunts, uncles, siblings, grandparents etc. If not for a relationship then even for any medical history. My name given at birth was Mark.
3281. KareBear44 : I was adopted within three months of my birth and had a very happy life. My adopted mother was amazing. I have rheumatoid arthritis, which developed at 7 years of age and would love to find a birth parent so I can get some medical history.
3282. Puffball : Orangeville District Hospital Orangeville Hospital. Name of child at birth, Daryl Scott Saul. Birth mother name Deborah Anne Saul. Dr. Veedman, Dr. Hedley Smith
3283. MargoRobichaud : Warren was born in Toronto Ont. Might have been born at East General Hospital. He had small strawberry mark on his upper lip.
3284. Msproat : Bill Vinen
3285. Wlyn : Upsdell, Hamilton Ontario
