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
4036. Tgaskinmcintyre : I was born in Chatham Ontario at St. Josephs Hospital
4037. Angeldoll379 : I am looking for my birth father I was told by my birth mother his name is Danny Knox he was born in 1958 I am not sure where he was born but he was living in London Ontario in 1976 when my birth mother became pregnant with me. I was born in Kitchener Ontario December 6, 1976 and was then adopted to a couple who lived in London as well. As far as I know he has 13 siblings and in 1976 at that time one sibling had already passed away.
4038. Patriciallegra : The adoption took place in Toronto in 1947. At the time of the adoption there was one other child in the adoptive family’s household‚ a boy. The adoptive parents were 40 and 41 years old at the time of the adoption.
4039. MathesonDrav : My daughter Jazmine was born June 16 1997 at women’s college hospital in Toronto Ontario. I got custody after months of fighting but did not want her to live the life I was living. I wanted to give her a real life and miss her terribly she is 24 now and have not seen her since ... I gave her a rock n roll Elmo .please I would do anything just to know you are doing ok. I never stopped loving or missing you. My name is Cameron and yes I know where your mom is.Dec . 1999
4040. Blacksheep1969 : My name is Lorraine Norton. My birthdate I was told is june 9 1969. I live in Oshawa Ontario Canada. I recently did a DNA test 3 months ago on Ansectory.Com. I was told my real birth mother was a Earth sign and my real father is a Air sign. There has been readings on Youtube regarding Gemini woman Cinderella Story as well as recent one Gemini woman you are adopted. All my life was made fun of I was adopted and been called the black sheep. As well as my daughters have been treated the same. I can be reached on Ancestory.Com
4041. Adamwilliams : - Born Deborah Elizabeth Mackinnon - birth mother Helen Mackinnon - Born in Sault Ste Marie
4042. Kimjames : Born in bancroft, ontario
4043. Roosterchick1233 : I always wanted to be in contact with my little brother . But children aid society said no . My father is Richard Dwain sypes. And his mother is Jennifer debo . I really need to speak to Toni sypes as something has happened in family. I don’t know how to reach out to him . He can contact me anytime. And yes I will always be there for him as if he was my own .
4044. Roosterchick1233 : My son Devin John sypes gregoire was taken from me from birth. Never had a chance . He first fost home from hospital he lived in lady name was Betty. And all I know he is in SD and g area . I have always love him and always will. Miss him always . Think about him every day. I would love to see my boy some day. I also had him in cornwall ontario. If that helps
4045. Bandit1 : not at this time
4046. Medihanealem : later
4047. MarsdenS : Lillian and Raymond Marsden adopted my dad. Its my DNA results
4048. Marniejweir : I was born and gave up at birth from st Joseph hostpital sarnia , ontario
4049. Terramac : Birth name: Jason Dylan Macdonald or Dyaln Jason MacDonald Birth place: Brampton CAS: Peel
4050. Cheriroberts : I was named Cheryl Stewart at birth!
