Ontario Adoption Records
The world's largest adoption reunion registry for adoptees and families
Start Your Search Today
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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Ontario
-
Nymwen123
12 hours ago
-
StephanieJoan
20 hours ago
-
Kathymch
22 hours ago
-
JessicaHaddoc
14 hours ago
-
Kac1969
1 hour ago
-
Sarahherren1
17 hours ago
-
Sarvanjoeo2011
18 hours ago
-
MarleneAgnew
20 hours ago
-
Sunny1smilesh
13 hours ago
-
Mcsscott
16 hours ago
-
Skwalker
16 hours ago
-
Alldolledup44
22 hours ago
-
Julia8888
4 days ago
-
Shawnammorey
4 days ago
-
AngelaPuhr
4 days ago
-
Jaygray
5 days ago
-
Sven709
5 days ago
-
Wecouldbestars
6 days ago
-
Stownes
6 days ago
-
Heather83Ashley
6 days ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
361. Pattiw : Birth parent, welland, ontario born in 1942, has a son two years older than me I was born at the Welland General Hospital.
362. Dash_67 : East York General Hospital, Ontario, Canada
363. Loriinbc : I am a half sibling to one or more, male or female. The Biological mother was a babysitter, her name was Cathy Stockdale in Port Credit Ontario. ( There could be other birth moms that I don’t know the name) Other sibling may also have been born in the Toronto or surrounding areas. I was born in Mississauga hospital, June 9 1968. My birth surname was Hoskinson. We lived in Port Credit on Carmen Drive.
364. Kkp8471 : I was adopted in Windsor Ontario Canada, when I was about 2 weeks old. By birth name was Lisa, I believe. I was born in one of the local hospitals, Metropolitan Hospital, Grace hospital or the 3rd which I cannot remember the name of and is now gone. My birth mother was young, 16-18 years old, had blonde hair just like me. This is about all I know, Hoping to find out more and would love a reunion!
365. Tanyaberghuijs1234 : Hi my name is tanya berghuijs i am looking for my two kids that were adopted thru cas justine Amanda marrett born january 15,1999 and my son is sean wilcox born march 20, 2000 justine would be 21 and sean is 20 thanks you
366. ShelleyDart : Phylis Jean Endicott was born in Lindsay at Ross Memorial hospital, in Victoria County, Ontario, Canada on January 25, 1964
367. Marc4570 : My son was born in Sudbury Ontario he was named Thomas
368. Seanmcarthur : my name is sean mcathur ‚I am looking for my birth mother.i was born Steven Larocque in Ottawa Ontario ‚nov 13 ‚1970.my mothers name is Brenda Anita Larocque ‚she was born 1954‚ lived with grandparents at 597 prince albert st. if you have any information regarding her contact information‚ please contact me.
369. JeanetteCharlebois : Birth last name "Charlebois" Birth mother ... Mary Paul Charlebois From Welland Ontario My friends name at birth : Jeanette Charlebois Born November 23 1957 at Grace Hospital Toronto Ontario My friend was renamed Claudette by adopted patents. Claudette is looking for her Biological siblings...apparently Mary had placed 3 or 4 newborns up for adoption after my friend. We do not know any dates...
370. FindHolly1969May02 : At birth you were given the name Holly. Your biological parents lived in London Ontario however I do not know in what city where you were born or the agency. You have a full brother‚ born 1978Jun and a nephew born 2020Dec . Your mother was born 1948Jun‚ father 1940Aug Your adoptive mother was born 1926‚ adoptive father born1928 They already had a child 3 years older than you at time of adoption
371. Cyn0423 : Joseph Emery Kinsley
372. AnneMcM : Born in Peterborough, Ontario. Birth Mother was of Italian descent and birth father Irish(UK). I believe both were very young 17-20.
373. JeffreyBrady : susan dorothy coxon
374. Annette75 : Born st.thomas Ontario. Weight 8.pounds 3 ones. Just curious...That’s all
375. Matthewhemmerich : Toronto General Hospital
