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 1,205,524 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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Nymwen123
11 hours ago
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
3916. Ruthb3763 : BM Surname Tucker from Truro Colchester, NS Grand parents William Nelson Tucker 1900-1955 And Nettie M Tucker nee Campbell 1912-1988
3917. Hollyhartung : Hi. I am trying to find my biological parents, my name is holly hartung, and I was adopted in March of 1980. I don’t know anything about my biological parents, and want to see them in person one day. I was born in Kitchener Waterloo, Canada.
3918. DemiPrince : My mother, Donna Thompson, passed away shortly after I was born die to a diabetic coma. My father, Nick Wilson, is still alive as far as I know. They were both teenagers when I was born.
3919. Staceyhartwell : Mother was young, 16years old. Was adopted 2 weeks after birth from Peterborough
3920. AshleyH87 : Looking for family of my Mother. My mother was born Nov 18th‚ 1966 at the Toronto Womens College in Toronto‚ Ontario. According to papers‚ her birth mother was born 1947 (Toronto) and her birth father was born 1935 ( Nova Scotia). They had one daughter before my mother who was 2 and a half.
3921. DougHynes : My birth name was Michael Allan Gratton and I was born at Brantford general hospital.I had registered before and I believe my aunt (birth fathers sister) called me but I dd not recognize who she was.I really wish I had as I would have contact with family members.I believe she may be Indigenous.My birth father had a heart condition (he was in his 40’s at my birth)and was being taken care of by my birth mother (who is Scottish) I believe she may live in BC now As I age, I feel more and more need to connect with my genetic parents and family-I hope this may be possible to gain a good connection
3922. StephenCalder : Looking for family members that may give me story of my roots.
3923. BROsearch123 : I was born after my brother, to the same parents who stayed together after my brother’s adoption. He was born on September 19th at the Civic Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, and arrived at his adopted family’s home in December 1967, close to Christmas.
3924. Guiotto : You were born at Toronto western hospital, at 10,25 pm. I was 17 yrs old and I was heartbroken that I couldn’t bring you home. My father was very strict, so I was not allowed to keep you. I cried for a month, I was so hurt. Your father and I have kept in touch over the years, and are looking to know how you grew up, where you happy, and how are you now? We would like to be assured that we did right for you, since we were to young at the time. I was afraid my dad would take out his anger out on you, and I couldn’t do that to you.I loved you too much, and still do !
3925. WillaSueGrey : Jewels for Jesus
3926. Loriguyett : Linda Quesnelle, midland, penetanguishine
3927. Sarahmariesmith : Birth mother is Sharon Marie Smith (still looking) Fathers name unknown. I know he was burned in a fire so he might have some scarring Grandmother is Jeanette Cooper Brothers are Mark Ace Smith (deceased) and Timothy David Smith (in contact with) Sister is Jessica Marie Smith (still looking) I would love to find my father mother or sister before I find their obituary again.
3928. JanisBooth : My male sibling was probably born in Toronto, Ontario between 1951 - 1953. Mother’s last name would have been Giddens. Possibly St. Michael’s hospital.
3929. Razzohar : My mother was born a "Carol Ann Brooks" in North York, Ontario, Canada in 1963. We are looking for any family members.
3930. Iamfunny1 : Born at st Michael hospital Toronto private adoption lawyer Howard w cohen. Michael blugerman involved
