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
3511. AndrewWardC : My name is Andrew Ward Christie, and as far as I know, I kept my First and middle names, Andrew Ward, born March 22, 1962 in Ottawa, and adopted there as well after foster care, at age 2. I believe my mother was French Canadian, and my father was from the Caribbean, possibly Bahamas or Bermuda. His last name was Sherriff or Sheriff, not sure of the spelling.
3512. Crystalrowles1981 : My name is Crystal rowles, I have been trying to find my twin sons, Cody Gardner rowles and Dylan livern rowles, they were born January 19 the 2000 at women’s collage hospital in Toronto Ontario, they were both born prematurely and they were placed for adoption out of Lindsay Ontario, I have tried many times to find them , it’s twins birthday today and I miss them and won’t give up trying, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SONS ! I hope we find each other one day , I will always love you and I will always keep searching
3513. Jlisairis : My birth mother was in a car accident the year before and suffered kidney damage. Not sure if her boyfriend was the father of the baby. Her family history states “mental health” personality disorder” Her father was a pastor in Napanee. She may have been born in Napanee or Kingston General Hospital. She was raised and schooled in Napanee we think
3514. SearcherK6H : I am searching for the birth mother who gave birth to a little girl born between April and July 1967 and adopted in Hawkesbury Ontario. The Mothers name was Marie Coleman.
3515. Jillirene : Hi there. I’m looking for my adoptee who adopted me as a child. I would’ve been 3 to 5 years old. 1978-1981. My parents adopted me out for the wrong reasons and was fortunate to get me back. I wanted to know who my adopted parent was and wanted to thank them for playing a big part at a young age. Ugly times. My parents won’t disclose anything to me, I assume it’s because of their guilt. Thanks in advance for your help.
3516. Micker : I was born in Vaughan on Sept 14 1969 and am searching for natural parents or any siblings. I was adopted at about 6 months of age and I have no knowledge of any family members. The Children’s Aid Society will not tell me anything. I would like to find my bio parents‚ siblings‚ half-siblings‚ etc if I can. I currently live in the east end of Toronto.
3517. Mybearcat : He was born in Collingwood, ON. According to the birth information I received from the hospital he was born at 10:15pm and weighed 8lbs 11.5 ozs. My mother had mentioned that he was adopted by friends of her aunt. Unfortunately my great aunt has passed and any family members who ight have known anything about the adoption.
3518. Leeannroberts1966 : I im look for the parents and of family Edmond morin was born in tinytown ship near penatang
3519. Michaelilkiw : I love you ‚‚ where are you
3520. Sammy2ma : Anishinaabe search, adoption was Hastings county Ontario Born last name Kobs
3521. Amymerr : searching for a birth family. i was born march 18, 1974, 3 weeks premature, it was a private adoption in ottawa with the lawyers of johnson and johnson. Birth name I believe was katie. Both mother and father were 21.
3522. ThomasWhitworth : female born ottawa at the carleton grace in july 1970 mother was from cape breton ns and worked for the royal bank in ottawa. father was from dartmouth ns and was in the air force. the girl when born had a cherry birthmark on her forehead my name and family history was given to the registry as the father of this girl
3523. Cfleming1989 : Dorothy Fleming is my birth mother Paul remillard is my birth father David Fleming is my half brother patricia Fleming now Patricia Brant adopteded name langendyk born at new Liskeard hospital peel cas was in foster care with the scammels and the Casey’s
3524. WilliamPotter : I was born in the St Catharines General Hospital and believe from what I have heard that I was placed in a orphanage in Dt Catharines until my adopted parents came for me. I believe I was any where from 9-18 months before I was adopted (however, I believe it was closer to the 18 months.
3525. Vickilynn1969 : My name is Vicki looking for my brother, I’m from Nova Scotia and so was our parents Mccabe is fathers last name Hughes is Mothers last name ,I believe my brother was born in Saint Catherines Ontario
