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.
Register Now Directory
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 1,205,528 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
3691. DavidDS : I was born in Toronto -Wellesley Hospital.
3692. Devpar : I was born in mississauga, ON. You abandoned at 3 years old without food or water and left me die.
3693. Kelllyb : I am looking for my brother. He was born on Feb 6, 1969 in the Mississauga/Toronto area. He was born to my mother (Linda) and father (John) who were forced to give him up for adoption by their families because of their age. He was named "Christopher John" or "John Christopher"
3694. MarcjLandry : Keys : Civic Hospital , Carleton County, barristers ( Vincent Dagenais Gibson 260 Dalhousie st , #400, Ottawa Ontario, k1n 7E4 , ) Hon. Lionel Choquette for the 3 adoption events, 1st adoption I was sick post polio syndrome and the adoptive parents put me back in adoption ....which led to Hon Lionel Choquette adoption and may have been 2nd adoption family ( that I have known all 7 children ( fantastic individuals ) very well) this eventually led to 3rd and final adoption to Hubert Landry and Estelle Benoit of St Albert Ontario Canada I do have a plasticized birth certificate with following references Landry, Joseph Marc Hubert Registration number 45-05-141098 , Ottawa Carleton County,Ontario Canada, registration date: Nov 6, 1945, issued at Toronto March 30, 2967 Annette Benoit, Estelle Benoit sister was the family helper for Hon Lionel Choquette and had To leave for a given period at a certain point and then carmen Choquette (spouse) offered the job to Estelle Benoit ( as family helper) I am 75 today and would love to be to answer my children’s open rnded questions!!!!
3695. Gladyblakeman : Born in Newmarket, Ontario
3696. MarcjLandry : Barristers Hon Lionel Choquette of Vincent Gibson Dagenais, was implicated in 3 adoption events 1st adoption- I was sick with post Polio Syndrome and adoptive parents put me back in adoption 2nd adoption- Hon Lionel Choquette may have adopted me for a interim period to secure a 3rd adoption to Estelle Benoit and Hubert Landry ....... Annette Benoit worked as a family helper and at a given point had. To leave her job Estelle Benoit replaced her sister offering her services as family helper. I have in hand a birth certificate Details: #JO35223 Registration number:45-05-141098 Ontario Canada Landry, Joseph Marc Hubert Date of birth Aug 19 1945 sex M Birthplace Ottawa Carleton County Registration date Nov6, 1945 Issued at Toronto March 30, 1968 Need to know of original docs and to know the who were in the know!!!!! Who are parents Doctor Registered and signed documents
3697. Kittystar93cat : *Native-Canadian* Birth Name: Nicholas Frederick Franklin Barnes Birthdate: September.10, 2003 Birth Place: Stratford General Hospital, Stratford, Ontario, Canada Birth Mother: Jaime Dale Bergen (June.17, 1976) Birth Father: "Marty" Martin Barnes (May.10) in Long Plains First Nations, Manitoba Maternal Birth Half-Siblings: Raven Bergen (November.1973) and Kiara Markle (June 1997) Adoptive Parents: Sherry & Dave Adoptive Sibling: Bryor (native-canadian also adopted)
3698. SEMB : Toronto. Birthday unknown. Year is an educated guess. Catholic Children’s Aid may be the agency involved. I an older sister.
3699. Amgela0764 : Im looking for my son Trevor Lucas born i Halifax NSMarch 2811999 sudbury adopted by a woman who worked at winners foster mother was Manuela in sudbury I was told he died at 18 myths found out it was lies yrs later Tyson Lucas June 7 2001 Naima kazan was the Cas worker born in British Columbia grace hospital
3700. Lindsay1992 : My biological dad was adopted ... and unfortunately he committed suicide when I was 2 years old...now that I’m older and have two of my own children I’m curious where we come from
3701. Benjaminrancourt : I am your brother Benjamin Rancourt looking for you. You are my older sister. I have known about you since I was 16 years old. I have been looking for you for so long. Our mothers name is Jayne. I believe you were born when our mother was 15. Our mother at the time of your adoption lived in Whitby Ontario. I believe your name was Elizabeth or Jay-anne Town. That is what I was told my our mother. Our Mothers mom-our grandmothers name was Lillian Town. She was in charge of the adoption as our mom was a minor. I believe you were born in 1969 or 1970 on or abouts. Our mothers maiden name was Young. Your mom was 15 as I said. You have younger half brothers named Shayn and Benjamin. Our mother did not want to give you up. Our mother was forced against her will. It May have been Oshawa or Whitby where you were given up for adoption. I need to find you and I will not stop looking for you. To the best of my knowledge, and I may be wrong-you were born in Oshawa Ontario at Oshawa General Hospital
3702. Chloella : Wayne was born in Weston on May 23, 1947. He weighed 9lbs 4oz. Birth mother signed her consent to his adoption in July 23rd 1947. Wayne went to live with his adoptive parents on August 16, 1947. He was baptized on August 24th, 1947. His adoption was legalized in September 8, 1949.
3703. Frederickrossholmes : Birth Name - Frederick Ross Holmes Place of Birth - Campbellford Ontario Grew up in Trenton Ontario.
3704. EmiliaKnight : Hi, My name is Emilia. I am looking for my late grandmother’s younger sister. When she was born her name was Margaret Lillian Carpenter, she was the daughter of Edmund Kenneth Carpenter and Edith Oliver. Sadly, Edith passed away after giving birth to her. She was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on the August 25 1927. She was apparently adopted when she was 18 months. I know she would be in her 90s, but I would love to find her (or information) and meet any of my cousin’s.
3705. Peteraevanoff : Born in St. Vincent De Paul Hospital located in Brookville, Ontario on March 7, 1966. Birth name Shawn Joseph Steacy. Mother’s name Sharon Steacy or Sharon Rose Steacy. Mother was 15 years old at time of birth. Mother’s address listed as 68 Havelock Street Brockville Ontario. Mother may have been born in Alberta. My adopted name is Peter Andrew Evanoff.
