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 1,205,528 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
4261. CatherineStokes : My name is Catherine Stokes‚ I am searching for my older adopted brother. His name at birth was David Alexander Wilson‚ born at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto to my Mother‚ Diane Louise Wilson. (McGill) David was given up for adoption at birth and then resided in the Toronto Catholic Adoption Centre‚ I do not know for how long. My Mom looked for Davis until the day she died‚ and now I have taken up the search since 2009. Thank you‚ I hope to find my Brother.
4262. Catherineastokes : I am looking for my brother who was born David Alexander Wilson‚ on February 21st. 1962 at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto to Diane Louise Wilson(McGill). Approximate time of birth was between 9am - 11am by cescerean section by Dr. Wm Bates. Weight 7lbs.10oz. approximate lenght 20 1/2 inches. I believe that my mom said her husband at that time was Robert Wilson. He was arrested at the time of David’s birth and my Mom only saw him once after that.‚ My mom had a 1yr old daughter at the time named Patricia. My mom says she was pressured into putting David up for adoption the moment he was born by everyone around her. Back in the sixties ‚ not having any assisstance or a husband to help you raise your children‚ she felt she had no other option but to give David a better chance at life. She kept Patty‚ against everyones advice ‚ and struggled for 6 years until she met and married my father. She looked for David from 1965‚ with the help of my father‚ until the day she died. This is why I have so much information about him. I have tried in the past to contact web services to help find David myself but to no result. Please‚ Catherine Stokes
4263. MaryvonneJohnson : Looking for my neice born Serenity Belle Barnett Born July 21‚ 2003. To a Tarra Barnett Half Guyanese and English/Italian
4264. Owit0624 : Stuart Mair (adopted son)‚ David Ross Smith (birth father)‚ Carol Anne Mair (birth mother)
4265. Uknwmes2r2w : Was born in London Ontario at the South st hospital was 5lbs 1oz and was adopted 4 days after his birth to a nice couple who are both medical professionals and was told his birth mother was quite young a teenager and was adopted through CAS and the Delivery Drs name was Dr Renato Natalie
4266. Lauriespate : Am looking to find my true heritage and family members
4267. Funnygirl13 : I was born in Wpg adopted in Ontario
4268. Crystalallard : Looking for my youngest sister Tina Lynn O’Grady. Born on October 3rd‚ in I believe 1997‚ at Oshawa General Hospital. Born to mother Kimberly Ann Allard and father Michael O’Grady. I would be Tina’s oldest sister Jennifer Crystal Allard. Tina also has three other siblings Ashely Jones‚ Matthew Jones and Charlene Morgan Allard.
4269. SDLemire : Looking for my Aunys Grandson
4270. Toniamariew : 1. Searching for birth mother 2. Birth certificate lists name as Tonia Marie W. 3. Father’s last name was Langford 4. Catholic home for unwed mothers in Ontario
4271. AngelaLeddy : Angela Leddy was born in the Oshawa General Hospital‚ Oshawa On.
4272. ShariB50 : I’m fairly certain I was born at Henderson Hospital in Hamilton. The birth name I was given was Heather Lynn. I truly had a wonderful childhood and the best parents. I’m really just curious to see if I have any biological relatives.
4273. Garryw : Borden‚ Ont maybe and probably the hospital in Borden‚ Ont. May also be Trenton‚ Ontario and the hospital in Trenton Ontario Father was stationed in the Canadian armed forces
4274. Dave198203 : I don’t know anything about my birth mom as I was adopted all I know she was 14 when she has me
4275. Lindamcclain : I was born at Victoria Hospital in London Ontario. All I know is that my birth father lived with my grandmother. All I know is that his name was Eldon Ernst
