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 1,205,521 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
3616. Crystal85 : Im also searching for aunts and uncles... My birth mother and her siblings grew up in childrens aid... My birth mother Kathryn ann Pare born May 5th 1965 had 2 siblings.... A little sister and a little brother... If you recognize any of this information please contact me..
3617. Nathalierichards1 : Hi im looking for my sister born on octobre 31 1975 female her given name at birth was nancy or tiny born at kingston hospital ontario file hospital 18938 born at 04:40 morning thanks nathalie richards
3618. Shannann : I am looking for my aunt who was born Phyllis Malcolm but whos name was changed to Nina Lynn Palmer at time of adoption.
3619. Justnan2u : 3 siblings but only 2 were adopted Parents were married, Surname Scott Children were born as D Scott 1954 (F) adopted in 1962 age 8 L Scott 1955 (M) adopted 1962 age 7 loved hockey P Scott 1957 (F) not adopted loved guitar Birth area was Hastings, Belleville Ontario
3620. Ellis99 : Hi there, I am searching on behalf of my grandmother she was adopted in London, Ontario, Canada. She was born November 5th 1949. I am looking to find other possible family members for her.
3621. Taylorbaker1616 : I was told his name was Joseph Baker at birth, but that when adopted the family had it changed.
3622. Misschelley26 : I was born in Toronto ontario according to my birth certificate.
3623. Misschelley26 : Born in Toronto ontario
3624. Misschelley26 : Born in Toronto ontario
3625. Simcam : My sisters and I are searching for our oldest sister born May 15-18 1964 in Hamilton Ontario. Adoption was finalized March 1965. You were adopted along with an adopted son 18 months older than you to a catholic family in Hamilton area. Your adopted parents were married 1958 (your dad was born 1930 and mom 1933) and your dad was a technology supervisor and mom a payroll assistant. Please message.
3626. Jasmine140 : I’m doing this search for my mother who would be your sister. we were told about your existence & we both would love to find you & have contact.
3627. Heatherdurkin : He was born in Trenton, Ont. Birth name is Raymond Newbiggin. I knw he was adopted to a family in the Toronto area. I believe both adoptive parents were teachers.
3628. KimHasson : Sheri-Lynn Mitchell birth name. Female. Born December 8, 1970. Oakville Trafalgar Hospital in Oakville, Ontario. Adopted March 17, 1971 to Nadia and James Both. Birth Mother 19 years old.
3629. Darlene1667 : Toronto, was birth city.
3630. LegacyLtd905 : My name is Kristopher Joseph Waines. My last name used to be Kristopher Joseph Adams or Addams. I’m 28 years old now born January 7th 1993 in St. Catharines Ontario General Hospital I’m on drugs now because I feel I have no family that cares about me or even knows I’m alive I have no kids and Caucasian and family and children services f.a.c.e
