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 1,205,521 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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Ontario
-
Nymwen123
11 hours ago
-
StephanieJoan
19 hours ago
-
Kathymch
20 hours ago
-
JessicaHaddoc
13 hours ago
-
Kac1969
23 hours ago
-
Sarahherren1
16 hours ago
-
Sarvanjoeo2011
17 hours ago
-
MarleneAgnew
19 hours ago
-
Sunny1smilesh
12 hours ago
-
Mcsscott
14 hours ago
-
Skwalker
15 hours ago
-
Alldolledup44
21 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
3796. Karen2178 : any family members: Mother Father Extended family I was born May 21,1978 at Sudbury Memorial Hospital. Native mother, white father. She was very young. May belong to Whitefish Lake First nations. Name at time of Foster care was Jenny Lee F. Bio parents may have been dating. Father may have been a bit older. Info from mother regarding history, but interested in information regarding father, history only.
3797. MikaylaMcCrory22 : My grandmother - adoptive name: Carlyne Doris Williams, later married and became Doris McCrory - was a 6th nations indigenous woman who was adopted into a white religious family when she was extremely young (maybe less than a year old, but I’m not sure). I am deeply looking to reconnect to my roots and we have no idea who her biological parents are. We have been searching for years. She was born in Brantford, Ontario. Please help me find my biological family!
3798. Cmoln : Birth mother was from Nova Scotia, but birth was in Ottawa.
3799. Cmoln : Born at Grace Hospital, Ottawa
3800. AngelaRussell : This is my biological father he‚ too‚ was adopted. His adopted name was Ronald Harold Russell. Unfortunately‚ he passed on February 21. 1993. He was born May 3 1933 in Oshawa. He was adopted by Fern and Harold Russell‚ they were from the Marmora‚ Ontario area.
3801. Amitch44 : Born in Port Colborne Ontario Associated surnames Gilson and Horton
3802. KerriMacfarlane : My brother was born in Scarborough Ontario, adopting parents born in Scotland and England. Ps. Your birth mother never stopped loving you
3803. KatandSteph : I am looking for my birth mother’s family. I do have some information. There were three older sisters, One born in 1947, one in 1948, and one in 1950. Birth Mother’s name at birth was Stephanie Elaine Harding, born in St Joseph’s Hospital, London Ontario Weight at birth was 9lbs, 3 oz. She was adopted through the London and Middlesex Children’s AID. Adoption was complete 11 June, 1959
3804. Lolabell : My nephew was born on Valentines day, 1984-85? And was placed with his new family in Lambton County, just days after his birth. The only information I have is, my sister Beth Bacon named him Kyle(I’m sure that has changed) and that he was placed in a Christian Household. I have thought of my nephew every year on his birthday. Through some digging I found out that his parents also adopted a baby girl. I’m hoping to find my nephew after all these years, if only to let him know he was loved and missed.
3805. Lolabell : I’m looking for my nephew, who was born in 1984-85, I was only 15 at the time, so the year is hard for me to remember. I do remember that he was born on February 14, and silently wish him a happy birthday every year. His birth name is Kyle and he was placed for adoption with a Christian family, in Lambton County. The family soon adopted a baby girl as well.
3806. Danielle1048 : Birth name was Christian Marie.
3807. KatandSteph : Born Stephanie Elaine Harding in London Ontario in St Joseph’s Hospital. Was full term, 9lbs, 3oz. . Three older female siblings born in 1947, 1948 and 1950. I believe all were at least in foster care through London Middlesex Ontario, may have been adopted out as well.
3808. Bevfoley : around Ottawa, Ontario
3809. TaniaWalton : Larry Walton is her biological father. Her biological mother’s name was Karen. She had been on contact with her biological mother and had asked about see my father but he was ill at the time. This would have been around 2000. Her estimated birth year would be 1968-1970
3810. Shylamy : Hello, I’m looking for my aunt who was given up as a baby, sometime between 1965-1969 around the Parry Sound or Noelville area of Ontario. Her name at birth was Michelle (spelling could differ). Birth mother Edna.
