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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Ontario
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
3601. Stephvarley : Hey, I thought I might share alittle more information on my Grandmother. Her name is Mary Rebbeca Marsden. Now the story goes my grandmother was brought to the home of Lelah and Henry Marsden of Collingwood Ontario. She was left with my great grandparents. Now we were told that our grandmother is Blackfoot. Now my great grandmother is metis of the Chocapee nation in Michigan and she has 3 birth certificates which we found very odd. We have looked threw documents after documents and the only thing we are able to find is a Marriage Lisence to a Mervin Floyd Varley (my grandfather) in 1961 where her legal name was listed as Rebecca Wanita Marsden. Our family is hoping that posting on this page will help us on our search. Looking forward to what we find.
3602. 1984Matthew : Born at Wellesley Hospital in Toronto, Ontario.
3603. Tsion2013 : I would like my name and contact information on the adoption registry so that my child wants to look for her birth mother she knows how to contact me
3604. Jenna89 : I am looking for my son whom was made crown ward in and around 2010-2012, Birth name Isaiah Johnathan Donald Jeffrey Penny born August 3rd 2007 in Collingwood Ontario at the Collingwood general hospital. Woodstock Children’s aid is the agency involved when made crown ward he was located in Oxford county so if adopted out it also be within Oxford county.
3605. Tiger4048 : My daughter was born on the 21st of April at the Mayfair Private Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. I named her Laurel Jane. I have always wished to find her.
3606. SusanReid : I was born in Stratford, Ontario.
3607. Luckyy : I was born at Toronto East General Hospital In Toronto, Ontario on May 2nd 1990. Looking for any history of biological parents. Female is Italian and Male is Persian or Iranian. Apparently my biological mother had given birth to me at a young age, around 17 years old. I was adopted at birth by Ruby and Brian Doddridge, at Toronto East General Hospital.
3608. Bruce112683 : Hi, I was born in Toronto my mother was 22 years old at the time she had me. She tried for a few years to keep me but unfortunately after moving to Kingston I was given up for adoption. She had a daughter before me who also was put up for adoption. I was adopted out to my adoptive parent in Kingston. I’m not sure if I would have my information at Toronto children’s aid or Kingston children’s aid . I don’t have any names of my mother or sister. My birth name was Bruce Colin Lewis from what I was told by my adoptive parents.
3609. CarolannClark : Hello, I am looking for any birth family members of Carolann Clark, born in York (Toronto) Ont. in June 1957. I am her daughter, and am looking for information on family medical history. If the family would be open to more, then so would we, but I will not press it. Hope you all have a lovely day.
3610. SarahCAIRNS1973 : I was born at Mississauga hospital on a Sunday. My mother’s name is Donna. I know my mom and birth father were engaged before I was born and they both were attending U of T at the time. I am searching for my birth father.
3611. Baconmike : Hello My name is Michael. I grew up in Rexdale Etobicoke what I do know is. Born in: North York hospital My birth mothers name is: Barbara Darlene Copland.
3612. Vvergan : I am looking for my Mother’s mother parents, she was adopted out of Toronto General Hospital on June 13th 1954. I am hoping to find some of my heritage, I know my aunt’s names were Susan lee, Cooper and Sharon Brownlee. Susan was placed in Peterborough, She was on assist living as she was not able to live on her own even as a grown adult, and was buried at the St Peters church in Peterborough. Sharon was placed in Ottawa I am not sure where Sharon was laid to rest, Sharon passed away in 1996-7. Shaorn had two children named Christal Brownlee and Micheal Brownlee. They did find each other shortly before Sharon passed away My mother and Susan were very close,
3613. Susand6 : I am looking for any birth relatives. I was born December 31 1979 and given the name Angie Lynne. I was told my birth mom was very young and one of 6 girls I think she was also the youngest. My birth father was also very young and had an indeginous background.
3614. Tazzmom : Last name of biological parents Scott or Walker or Storms First name of adopted boy at birth John
3615. Tazzmom : Looking for John Scott at birth Birth Mother Lillian Battams Birth Father John W Scott
