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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11,026 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 1,201,335 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
31. Shyla : My birth mothers first name was Mary Stella. She was from Hull/QC I was born at the Grace Maternity Hsp. In Windsor‚ Ontario. The Hsp was called the Salvation Army Hsp. For Unmarried Mothers I would also like to search for any siblings please Both of my adopted parents have passed away. Their names were Eleanor and Albert Almack.
32. Neenee2 : I was born in Hamilton I believe my birth name was Kari-Lynn cairns. I turn 50 shortly and would really like to meet some of my birth family
33. Cavegirl : My birth name was Tracey Dale Hilton, I was born in Jaffray Melick district , Kenora Ont. on May 10 1966 2 months pre mature . From what i know I have 6 older sisters and 2 older brothers. I was born at home and then taken to St.Joseph’s Hopital. My Mom was 33 and my Dad was 44 at the time of my birth.
34. Norman2244 : I was born Pamela Keeling at the Salvation Grace Hospital in Ottawa Ontario on June 22, 1944, I am looking for my birth mother CLELIA ROWENE KEEGAN (nee KEELING) to tell her she has a beautiful Granddaughter Christina and two Great Grandchildren Samantha and Ryan.. I would like to tell her I love her and understand. I would love a picture of her if anyone has one. Her birthdate is Sept. 15, 1920. in Huntsville, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. She was a registered nurse. She had two siblings Cameron Keeling and Ethwile Keeling. Maybe I have some siblings too? Any help would be appreciated thank you. She was married to Irving F. Keegan who passed away in 2005. They have two children Tafflyn and Susan
35. Kbill : I am not sure of the year his birth. He was born to violet cork somewhere near toronto. The year he was born was somewhere between 1957 and 1959 I am not sure of anything else.
36. Norman2244 : I am searching for my y birth mother is CLEILA ROWENE KEEGAN nee KEELING. I was born on June 22, 1944, at The Salvation Army Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I would love for her to know she has a beautiful Granddaughter Christina and two Great Grandchildren Samanthal and Ryan. Also, do I have any siblings. I would love to see my birth family. She was born Sept. 15, 1920, in Huntsville, Muskoka, Ontario and was a Registered Nurse. She had two siblings Cameron Keeling and Ethwile Keeling. she was married to irving F. Keegan who passed away in 2005, they had 2 children Tafflyn and Susan.
37. Norman2244 : I am looking for my birth mother CLEILA ROWENE KEEGAN (nee KEELING.) I was born in the Salvation Army Grace Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario on June 22, 1944. My birth name was Pamela. Keeling. I would love for her to know she has a beautiful Granddaughter, Christina and two Great Grandchildren a Girl and a Boy, Samantha and Ryan, I do I have any siblings. Her birthday is Sept. 15, 1920, she was a registered nurse. She had 2 siblings Cameron Keeling and Ethwile Keeling. I would love to have contact with any family members if possible She married Irving F. Keegan who passed away in 2005. They had two children Tafflyn and Susan
38. Jstere : Ottawa Children’s Aid Mother deceased at age 45 living in Toronto, Ontario Carlton Hospital Possible last name is Petro
39. Schprintze : My brother David doesn’t know that I filled this out for him, but I figure that if I’m searching for my family we might as well search for his! All I remember from the non-identifying information was that the mother was French Canadian and the father Jewish. I just recently learned that the last name on the adoption papers was Stinemann.
40. RobertForward : I was born in Newmarket‚ ON
41. Schmidz : I know my birth mother’s name is Victoria Bunting and she use to live in Unionville in 1988 and I believe lived on George Henry Blvd (Don Mills & Sheppard) the year I was born. However, I don’t have any other information and I’m hoping to find her. She use to be a patient of Dr. Heather Morris in Toronto.
42. Linscan : Searching for: Merrill Lynn Jewel Thompson DOB: Feb. 5, 1963 Toronto Ontario Canada
43. LeslieQuinn : I want to find my birth family.
44. Klb11226 : I want to find my first born Daughter. Marie Elisabeth O’flaherty.
45. 1265 : Looking for any birth Family Members....Birth Mother name Arlene Lewis married name Moore....I am aware of a possible sibling born early 60’s....Adoption was privately done ....Arlene was also friends at one point with my Godparents George & Faye Whelan from Hamilton Ontario Canada
