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.
Register Now Directory
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 1,204,958 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
4306. Nad1984 : Looking for any kind of info I was born in Orangeville on September 10 /1984. My biological mother was around 18 years old ‚ her name is Wendy Martin or Marteen
4307. Terrif405 : I am looking for my cousin that was born in Brockville Ontario on April 30‚ 1972. His birth mothers name was Sandra Greenwood.
4308. Magmarsbar : I know the parents were born in the Niagara region. Bio mother Lynette Roberts (spelling approximate) (approximately 58) bio father Rick (Richard) Loeffen 58 years old. The adopted child would be around 39 with a young child. I am a cousin to the adopted individual.
4309. Santaclause3 : I am looking for my nephew who was born to Sharon Weston on February 2‚ 1983 at the Grace Hospital in Ottawa‚ Ontario. His birth name was James Weston. Freda Hartman was the Children’s Aid case. Worker. I am his aunt who was very involved with my sister at that time. Unfortunately my sister has passed away but I would like to connect with him to see how he is doing and to see if would like to know about his birth mother.
4310. Okayehenry : Seeking cousin‚ birth name George-Edward. Born in Calgary General Hospital 1978 under Drs Meldrum and Docksteader. Adopted around Callander‚ OT.‚ potentially with siblings.
4311. JeriLynnThomas : Birth mother Jeri-Lynn Foreman Baby girl Melanie 9lbs 10oz born July 7‚ 1976 at Sarnia General Hospital Sarnia‚ ON
4312. Jessdom1973 : The date of birth is unknown‚ but would have been between the years 1969-1971. She was born in Alberta ‚ Canada ‚ most probably in the city of Calgary . Her biological mother’s name was Mary. My dad was a french Canadian on a trip across Canada when he met her mom‚ and they dated for a short period of time‚ before he continued on his trip.
4313. Virginiasearching : I am looking for my daughter who was adopted she was born Feb 12‚2008 in oshawa‚Ontario canada Her name was virginia Robin Anne cochrane although her bane could have been changed. My name is virginia jessie cochrane her father abel macneil.childrens aid was involved.
4314. Mamaof3bm : Ottawa Area birth and adoption Birth Mothers name Laura Maybee‚ she was approx 17 years old.
4315. JPowles : My adopted sister was born in Kitchener Ontario Canada. The dates I put on questionnaire are just guess. As the youngest‚ she has 2 natural sisters and one natural brother. My dob is in 1960‚ sister is 1961 and brother 1962My mother’s maiden name is Clouthier.
4316. Adam2468 : bm sandra cluett‚ corner brook‚ nfld bf harold northcott‚ corner brook‚ nfld born june 3‚ 1968 toronto‚ ont cluett family in newfoundland northcott family newfoundland birth parents currently in alberta‚ canada seeking biological brother
4317. Mariehockett : Born Windsor hospital Age 2-3 Lived in st.aloysiuis church with nuns‚children’s and‚foster home with an older lady for 1 year. From around age 3 - 4 years old. Born in windsor but Lived on wards island in toronto until the age of 2 years old. Biological mother was rita water Biological dad was Robert leigh Biological sister was margaret Biological brother was Michael Fostered permanently by age 4 years old to Mother gabrielle tisdale Father william macneall Sister pat Sister John Brother peter Brother billy My moms name is Marie hockett My dad is John hockett Sister meagan My name is Shane and I am doing this on behalf of my mom and my interest to learn more.
4318. Emilysant10 : birth mothers name is Jayne last name before adoption was Scott I have a full sister named Clara and 5 half siblings
4319. Heli07 : My birth name was Luke
4320. Kathiep : I was born in Kirkland Lake Ontario-at approx 8 months old. My understanding is my birth parents were friends with the Preston family. I also understand my birth family was quite large.
