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
10,986 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 1,205,522 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
4531. Chobbins : Through DNA we believe the birth family name was Logtenberg‚ born in Middlesex County‚ Ontario.
4532. Lucy1813 : I am looking for a brother‚ named Maurice David by his birth mother (Helen‚ uncommon surname). He was adopted through the York County Children’s Aid Society (as it was then known). The adoption was finalized in May 1963‚ although I believe he was placed with his adoptive parents in November 1962. His adoptive parents were Jewish‚ father from Poland (age 38 at time of adoption) and his mother was French (age 33 at time of adoption). They lied in southwestern Ontario outside of York Region. I only recently learned I had siblings who were given up for adoption‚ and I am hoping to make contact with them and/or their children.
4533. Farmerj68 : Windsor ontario
4534. Cjazz77 : My half brother was born March 22/24 1974 with the name Jason Stewart Robertson. My mother-his birth mom is Brenda Laura Robertson born April 24 1953 in Sackville New Brunswick. My mom received information about Jason until the age of 5. His name was changed to David by his adoptive parents. He was adopted in Barrie Ontario Canada within the first year of life. Looking to find my brother and any information would be wonderful‚ thank you.
4535. Nicolemom : My name is Nicole Rodgers I am looking for my son... his name at birth was JAYLAN SHAE BISHOP... He was born at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto‚ ON on May 17 2005‚ and the Doctor’s name who delivered him was DR. Campbell. His father’s name is/was (now deceased) Marc Bishop
4536. Miller65 : Helping a friend locate a family member. What I know about the family member. Her birth name was Carolyn Sharon Miller. Born on June 28‚ 1965 in or around Windsor Ontario.
4537. TakishaP1991 : Trying to find my cousins‚ my name is Takisha Petroff. They lived in Chatham Ontario. Their Aunt Judy and I have never stopped hoping that one day we would find them and maybe they would want to connect with us. We miss them more then they will ever know. If they do not wish to have contact‚ we would understand‚ we just want them to know they are still loved‚ and we have never given up hope of finding them. If they do not want to connect with us‚ we understand as well.
4538. MarshaJoan : Born Civic Hospital Ottawa
4539. Reyes-Macabulus : Birth name maybe Peter Allan Wood Mother was young and lived in the country maybe blonde hair Birth father unknown and maybe a one-night stand Born at the Grace Hospital in Ottawa March 25 1957 Adopted Parents Dottie and Howard Polumbo lived in Westboro. Had one other adopted daughter‚ Gail and later on gave birth to a boy‚ Wayne Aunt - Shirley (Shipman) Quesnel (mothers sister)
4540. Suzannegrenier : My name is suzanne and I am looking for anyone from my family. I have two children‚ boy and girl and I am separated with no family contact with my adoptive siblings‚ we are distant so I’m looking to fine anyone from my family.
4541. Lovinglife4 : So I was just recently told that I have an older brother named Michael that was born between 1970 and 1971 the birth mothers name is Debbie Stefanick Time of birth last name was Lawrence And she was born May 17‚ 1956 . I don’t really have much information on my brother all I know is his name is Michael he was adopted out from the hospital. He was born in Ontario either Etobicoke Mississauga or Scarborough. He be in his early 50s now if not mid. I really would like to meet him if anybody has any information if it sounds like you please contact me
4542. Silver64 : My name is Sylvia Reynolds ‚nee Nolan. I was born in North York Ontario and my bilogical mother was Margarite Oster (Conway) also know as Marg‚Peggy Healey .My biological father was from England George Webster but his family said he was Allan George Webster.Him and Marg are passed away.I was adopted in 1968 in Newfoundland Canada by Joseph and Sarah (Sadie) Nolan‚which was Margarites sister.I found my birth fathers sibling and nieces and nephews on ancestry.Ancestry also found a match for me as a full sibling and said it was a brother with dna matching as full sibling.I have tried to contact this person but he hasn’t got meter back to me.I did this on Ancestry .I am thinking he was born after 1964 .She never told anybody that she had another child.The name of my sibling is Samantha Reubin.I know that’s a female name but that is the name .
4543. LizW1971 : My brother was born in Belleville‚ Ontario Canada at the Belleville general Hospital‚ I do believe Dr.MCsherry was the Doctor for delivery‚ he would have been born March 15th 1965‚ and Biological mother’s name Shirley Ann Smith Sept‚22‚1950 born Simco ‚Ontario ‚Canada his birth name was Wayne Charles Smith
4544. Lauravanmack : Born in Hamilton Ontario under the name Ursula Rock.
4545. TammySimon : Dennis Lyndon McGirr Mother - Janet Lynne McGirr (Parent - Elizabeth McGirr) Father - Gerald Dennis Stone Bethesda Maternity Home Children Aid Society - Sarnia January 1967 Mrs. M. M. Campbell Juvenile & Family Court - Sarnia‚ Dec 13‚ 1966 Judge J.C.Dunlap‚ Q.C.
