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
10,452 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 1,185,086 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
451. Elizabethkarn : Searching for BRENDA JEAN GWIZD Born September 24th 1978. your adoption was finalized in 1982 to a couple with a son who is older then you, You grew up in Oakville Ontario. You had a whole in your heart when you were born. You have a scar on your face from falling on a spoon while in foster care. You have 1 full brother and 1 half sister (me) and 1 half brother all actively searching for you.
452. Jaysw22 : i was born in ottawa ontario. i believe my mothers name is debbie and father is ralph
453. Jaysw22 : i was born in ottawa ontario
454. Mominthenorth : Looking for my angel who I heartbreakingly put up for adoption in Ottawa 1999
455. TheresaSauve : her name was Grace Linda Ann Paquin and She was born in Toronto on February 22, 1966.
456. Ptalbot48 : I am searching for my half sister (same BM). She was born in Toronto Western Hospital. I believe the attending was a Dr. Brown. Date was either September 23 or 24, 1958. My BM’s name was Mary Runcie Riddell Talbot, nee McIntosh. She was born June 23, 1928 and would have been just over 30 at the time. I also believe that the birth father could have been a George Arthur. The family is not sure whether the family Dr. at the time, Percival was involved or not. If he wasn’t then the CAS of Ontario was involved. The hospital has told me that they don’t keep or have records going back that far. Perhaps you can help. Many thanks. Peter Talbot
457. Dcen1234 : Ottawa Grace Hospital
458. Bfitzakerley : My twin sister and I were born in the Newmarket hospital. I am the male. My birth father’s last name was Johnston and my birth mothers last name was Hoover. My birth name was supposed to be Paul Bruce and it is not that now. We were adopted to a family at just less than a year old with our first house in Thornhill Ontario. I have twins now and looking for any information not only for myself but for the health history for my twins. I was told that I could possibly have 6 siblings and that at the time of my twin sister and I birth my birth parents were going through a seperation and that since we were twins they could not take care of us. I’m not hurt, we we’re raised extremely well and blessed with that. I’m just curious of biologically me.
459. Dave38 : My name is David Knapik. When I was born I was named Shawn bolton. I was born in the Toronto area from cas. I believe. I would like to find my birth parents if they are out their. I have so many questions for them about life. I hope I can find them.
460. Hopeful79 : My name is Lisa My mother is Heather Watt From Toronto ON
461. Tina2302 : I have always wanted a sister. I would love to meet her.
462. Amtwhite : Born at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. I understand my parents were married and originally were from New Brunswick, and had a son two year old when I was born. Family name of Murray.
463. Karolena : Born David Graham last name possibly Caza or Buchanan, last name may or may not have been on the birth cert and most likely changed soon after adoption. He was born June 12, 1968 at Peel Memorial Hospital, Brampton to June Helen Buchanan (Caza), adoption was finalized through Peel Childrens Aid Society. Adoptive parents were in mid to late 30’s, adoptive mother had been previously married and had a teen son from that marriage. Adoptive parents in addition to that son had an adopted 3.5 year old son and adopted 2 year old daughter. Adoptive father was a owned and operated his own truck and worked part time at a food company. Mother was a stay at home Mom. His adoptive paternal grandfather owned a general store in a small town. Music was a large part of family life and adoptive father played guitar. Both mother and father were involved in the church
464. Bridget1971 : My birthname was Tina Marie P. I believe my biological mothers name was Theresa. I was born in Kingston in 1971 October 6 at either The Hotel Dieu Hospital or Kingston General Hospital. I was adopted through the Children’s Aid Society
465. Dorisgatecliffe : looking for my sister who was adopted to a family in London ,ont canada
