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 1,204,965 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
4006. Pilotman : We are seeking any other relatives. I am searching on behalf of my husband. His name at birth was Billy John Kahn. He was born in North Bay. The judge was Wilfred R. Dupont. It was handled by The Children’s Aid Society. He believes he has a brother who was born in 1967. His birth mother is thought to have been 16 in 1969.
4007. Skymeredith : I’m looking for Sarah Mccarrell born august 27th between 1980’s- early 90’s in the Peterborough and Toronto area. Mother’s maiden name is Wendy Mccarell and fathers last name is Meredith.
4008. DavidRaines : He was born at Women’s General Hospital in Toronto, Sep. 5, 1963. I dealt with Scarborough adoption agency.
4009. MIsheppard : Born as George Draffin in Saint Joseph’s hospital ON After adoption name Mark Sheppard No information on birth parents
4010. HamiltonCatholic76 : My name is Frank and I am 45 years old. I was born May 7, 1976. I was placed for adoption with the Hamilton Catholic Adoption Centre. I was adopted at 3 months old. I am searching for my birthparents. Being Catholic, perhaps my mother got pregnant at a young age and had to stay in a half way house for pregnant teens until I was born. Was I in an orphanage for 3 months or with my family?
4011. Frances188 : Baby’s name was Justin Arthur Charles Roloson, Born in Belleville General Hospital Belleville Ontario Canada on February 11 1973 went to court on March 6 1973 at 2 o clock pm in front of Judge Robert J.K. Walmsley and The Director of child welfare was Miss Betty C. Graham in the Provincial Court (Family Division) at Prince Edward County of Picton Ontario
4012. Marc1226 : Birth name Raymond Michael Fowler
4013. Diannesbull : born Shirley Ann Falls Toronto East General Hospital adopted by William and Dorothy Bull
4014. AthenaWelch93 : Hello, My name is Athena, I was adopted at birth in Toronto. I was born Aug 1 , 1993. I am looking for my Dad (Ron Webb) I believe is his name. I was told he had blonde hair and blue eyes. I’m also looking for anyone else on his side of the family . My moms name is Mary Ann and she gave birth at mount sini hospital. If anyone has any information I’d love to get in contact.
4015. PaulArbour : Born in Chatham Ontario
4016. Leslieange : Born in thunder bay ontario november 23rd 1974 ,birth weight 5lb 14 oz had a raise*strawberry birthmark on my left arm.i am 3rd generation adoptee . I had to be adopted by a family that was going to be living * out of province. On December 23 1974 I was adopted by Guiseppe Carmelo Rocco Ruggeri and his wife Ute Ella Cecilia ( Baumeister ) Ruggeri I was baptised shortly after being adopted. The baptism ,which was held at St Anthony’s in port Arthur, (there were one or two Catholic sisters presen,one of which was my god mother,sister Mary Joyce...after the baptism there was no further contact with my godmother) my adopted family moved out of Ontario.
4017. Wozniak1964 : Father’s name Bernard Wozniak.
4018. Wozniak1964 : Father’s name is Bernard Wozniak.
4019. Wozniak1964 : Father’s name is Bernard Wozniak.
4020. Cottagelife : Looking for a baby boy born in 1969 named Stephen in Ontario, possibly near Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. Mother’s name was Ukrainian. Father was British. Adopted by a married couple with no prior children. A woman of Scottish and English descent and father of Polish descent.
