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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10,989 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 1,204,964 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
3946. KayAngela : My daughter was born at Scarborough general. Her name at Birth was Angela and was adopted by Children’s Aid just before her first birthday.
3947. NickiCad1982 : I was born at Scarborough General Hospital and adopted through the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.
3948. Kristinamaryzak : I am looking for my birth parents. Birth father’s name Kenneth Robert Zak, who was a truck driver, liked working on cars, was in a common law relationship and had a child (half sibling to me) with another lady, his mother’s name was Ola Zak, she was a hairdresser, they lived in apartments on Trudelle St in the 1970’s and he would have been 21 at the time. He was adopted. I am looking for my birth mother her name was Theresa Marie Margaret Lavallee, she was born in Manitoba and had a difficult life. She worked as a waitress in the 1970’s and lived in the Trudelle St apartments she would have been 18 yrs old.
3949. Kristinamaryzak : I am looking to connect with an uncle who was also given up for adoption, i am not sure what yr he was born, he had red hair, he was my birth mother’s brother, i do not know his first name but most likely his last name was lavallee or maybe not since my birth mother’s parents were separated. This birth may have taken place in manitoba, canada. My birth mothers name was Theresa Marie Margaret Lavallee
3950. Kristinamaryzak : I am looking for a half sibling. I do not know if they are male or female. My birth father’s name was Kenneth Robert Zak, his mother’s name was Ola Zak, he was a truck driver and liked to work on cars. He lived in Scarborough in the 1970’s, with his mother at an apartment on Trudelle Court. He was in a common law relationship with the sibling’s mother. He would have been 21 yrs old in 1973.
3951. JustKimmy : Born premature, 2 lbs 4oz, at st Joseph’s hospital in London Ontario, by c section. Adoption handled by chatham CAS
3952. Nifsthename : You were born in Windsor, Ontario. Your mother and father had separated. Your name was Lori Anne McLean. You have two older brothers and other half siblings who would love to meet you.
3953. 2022hercules : Elaine Burgess Terry Hawkeye Toronto
3954. Brunella : Born in Northern Ontario.. New Liskeard(?) Name at birth was Vanessa Naturkach (spelling?)
3955. Stephs03 : Looking for my dads biological family. He was put up for adoption as a baby. His current name is Edward Hatch born Jan 28 1958…. I believe. I don’t have contact with him I’m going off what my moms said.
3956. Bonitaz : Looking for a half brother. First name at birth was Ralph.
3957. Jane33542 : My two Sisters were born Geralton Ontario, to Helen Carriere and Ronald Saumure. Jan.28 1948 and July 06 1959, they were both adopted by Mr.and Mrs Hansen and renamed Marilyn Isabel Hansen and Susan Elizabeth Hansen. Mr. Hansen was an Engineer and Mrs. Hansen was a Nurse. We don’t know where they lived.
3958. Scarbyone : My name was Paul James beaver Now I am steven scarborough Trying to see if there is any family looking for me. London ontario.
3959. Scarbyone : My birth name Paul James Beaver London ontario
3960. JoEllenWright : Born at the Bethesda Centre for unwed mothers and their babies , London Ontario. Born to Judith Walker & John Gregory McLeish. Given up for adoption following birth.
