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 1,204,961 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
4471. LongLostJenn : My birth name was Carol I was born in Toronto General Hospital on October 14/1979 at 8:16pm I have a small idea of my birth parents…both were doctors…that’s all I know
4472. Blanchardjulie : Hi my name is Julie blanchard I was born on the 20th of march 1977. The reason I’m here is that I’m searching for my 2 daughter’s name Casey and Rebecca blanchard. Casey was born in June 12th 2001 she has strawberry blonde hair‚ blue eyes‚ Few freckle on the cheeks bone and nose. Casey was born in ottawa Ontario at Montfort hospital
4473. 77julieblanchard : looking for Casey Blanchard she was born on June 12 2001 also looking for my other daughter Rebecca Blanchard rief born on January 14 2003
4474. DonnaSnell : Sarnia‚ adopted under the first name Theresa‚ Fitzpatrick ‚ Chris fathers name‚ born in Sarina general hospital‚ Dr. Gibson‚ agency was district of child services Sarnia
4475. ChantalBarrette : I was born in Rouyn Québec. My mother was a teenager when she gave birth. I believe she tried to keep me but it was too difficult. I was with a foster family in the Timmins area from around the age of six months to almost my first birthday. I was adopted a week before my birthday. My birth name was Lori Anne (Dufoe)?
4476. Kellyrose83 : My name is Kelly. I’m searching for my half brother that my mom had too young. I have two other brothers. Would love to chat. Kelly Rose Noonan
4477. LostNephewOttawa : You are a male adopted in Ottawa. Your birth Mother does not want contact. Your relatives do.
4478. Blanchardjulie : Hi‚my name is Julie blanchard‚ I was born on the 20th of march 1977. The reason I’m here is that I’m searching for my 2 Daughter’s named Casey and Rebecca blanchard‚ Rebecca was born January 14 2003 she has strawberry blonde hair blue eyes few freckle on the cheeks bone and nose. Rebecca was born in ottawa Ontario at civic hospital
4479. Elizabethgay : I’m looking for my nephew Luke. He was given away and I was not told about it. I found a picture with his adopted parents. I’m concerned that his adopted parents could need medical answers because his maternal dad has psychosis and mother was shamed by her religion.
4480. Kp2022kp : I am looking for my brother. He was born in Kitchener‚ Ontario July 26‚1974.
4481. TammyLeah : My name is Tammy. I am searching for my fathers birth mother. My fathers name was John Wilson Reid (adopted name). He was born in St. John’s on August 10‚ 1944. I am not sure how long after he was born that he was adopted. His adoptive parents names were Heilin and Leah Reid. To my understanding his birth mother may have the last name of Ross. She was very young at the time of the birth of my father (under age 20).
4482. MCounsell : Born in Toronto ‚ 12 Nov 1958. Birth registration # 58-05-129258. Name at birth William Frederick West. Adopting parents‚ D’Arcy Robinette Counsell.and Ruby Marie Counsell. I would like to know who my natural parents are and if I have any natural siblings. Thank you.
4483. Lizdavis : Kitchener Waterloo hospital
4484. ShawnG1991 : Birth name: Stephan Luke Gallo-English. DOB: April 14‚ 1991. Adopted name: Shawn Grady. Born: St. Joseph’s hospital in London‚ ON. Assuming birth mothers last name is Gallo and birth fathers last name is English. First names of birth parents are not known. Birth fathers background is British/French and birth mothers is Italian. Both are first generation Canadian. Birth mother born in 1969 in Sault Ste Marie‚ Ontario. Birth father born in 1968 in Pt. Claire‚ Quebec Looking for information/contact.
4485. Teena1978 : I was told my mom had a son 2-3yrs before I was born. Both my mom and dad have passed but I am looking to find my brother. He was born in Toronto Ontario‚ birth mom is Joyce Ann McEathron. She would have been 17 or 18 at the time of the birth. Looking to connect but not disrupt lives so if you prefer no relationship that is ok as well‚ I just want to know you are really out there :)
