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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Ontario
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Nymwen123
12 hours ago
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20 hours ago
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21 hours ago
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
4321. Chelsm : Name given at birth Lila Starr Colley born March 28th 1973 at Toronto General Hospital. Adoption may have went through on June 26th 1973.
4322. Sfhc : Adopted through CAS in Toronto.
4323. Dragonkills85 : I would like to have my birth parents in my life
4324. Kennyb19 : I was adopted to a family in Peterborough Ontario.
4325. Dmartin426 : Searching for family members of my mother‚ Linda Marie Barnes. Born in 1952 and adopted in Ontario around 1960 +/-. Oshawa/Courtice area as far as I know.
4326. Lobes : My father was adopted at around age 2 after his mother died and his father was unable to care for him and his siblings. He was born in Toronto Ontario Canada. His birth name was John Thomas Maker. I believe he had an older brother and 2 older sisters‚ one of which may have been a half sister.
4327. Squessy : Ottawa Ontario Mother’s name was Mainville
4328. JennyDuran : I am searching for My Adopted. He was adopted after the age of 3 years old. He was living with me until I lost custody of him . He was born at Hotel Dieu Grace site in Windsor Ontario. I am his birth mother. Jenny Lynn Durocher. My mother is Sylvie Durocher. My case worker at childrens aid society was Monique Ryan from Childrens Aid society in Windsor Ontario. My birthday is May 1st ‚ 1987. My adopted sons Birthday is April 27th 2003. His name on his birth certificate is Aiden Patrick James Durocher. He was taken by Cas the day of birth . But I was granted everyday visiting because of Brest feeding. Not including weekends. When I got Pregnant with my 2nd son. I reached out to Cas to make sure I was ok to have another child and what I had to do to be sure I was okay. I had a case worker then . She followed me through up until after I had my son. She had no concerns .
4329. Dogboy74 : Born in Winnipeg and Adopted in Toronto
4330. Rooti12 : For health reasons I want to find my birth parents. I was born in London Ontario (middlesex county)at the St Joseph’s hospital .
4331. DW4827 : Female born premature in Newmarket‚ Ontario at Newmarket hospital‚ Southlake. Mother 24 at time and had given up another child one or two years before. Mother was into training horses. Birth father did not know of pregnancy until after child born and had been adopted as well so was ok with putting child up for adoption.
4332. CandyMae : I’m not sure if I’m adopted but feel as tho Iam But I feel Strongly that I am adopted
4333. Rosemarie58 : My daughter Elizabeth Ann was born in Ottawa at the Grace Hospital on Wellington Street. My on/gym was Dr Allen. My daughter was adopted through the Children’s Aid society of Ottawa. According to files I received the adoptive father was a lawyer
4334. Theonlyjaymacdougall : I was born in a Kitchener‚ Ontario hospital Jay Macdougall. After a short period in the same year‚ I was adopted and my name was changed to Ryan John Jay Fowler. I’m hoping to find members of my birth family.
4335. JBeauregard : I was born in Ingersoll‚ Ontario three weeks from my date of birth on January 22‚ 1975 and looking for health information on my family history.
