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 1,205,519 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
4666. Chelsealord : Roxane P Peter H Hamilton ON Henderson Hospital
4667. Emmanuel123 : Hello I would be greatful if my birth mother could be contacted. Her first name was Trish (Patrica Ann). She was born in Sarnia‚ Ontario
4668. Maddybrennan : Her name was Maya at birth I believe‚ birth mother was Lindsay Brennan of Toronto Ontario. She was taken into children aid’s care shortly after birth. I’ve never gotten to meet her but I’ve always been looking for her wondering who my half sister is and if I’ve seen her before without realizing especially when I lived in Ontario still.
4669. AndrewLucky : Looking for my fathers birth parents‚ he was born may 4th 1971‚ around the Stratford ontario area
4670. Lost1974 : St. John’s
4671. Abigailrpeters06 : Hi‚ I’m 17 and I’m currently looking for my birth mum and dad. I know I’m a bit young but I’m sick of the unknowing. I want to know what happened to my birth family. I want to know why they managed to keep me for 18 months and then give me up. I just want to know. I’ve been through too much stuff already in these 17 short years of my life‚ and I just finally want to know what I did to deserve this type of sparkle. I know maybe you couldn’t take care of me‚ but I just want to meet you so I can say a few things to your face myself. I don’t know anything about my birth family at all other than my name. And that was "Abbigail Rose-Mary Andrews" that’s all I know. My current name (since it was legally changed‚ is now "Abigail Rose Peters" I just want to know. Thank you for your time. Please reach out if you have any info.
4672. MellyAnn78 : I was born at Sudbury General Hospital. My name was Melissa Ann S prior to my adoption. I know my mother was a late teen and my father was early 20s. She came from a large family with a Finnish background.
4673. MarneR : I was adopted through the Toronto CAS or the Simcoe County CAS approximately 1965- to 1967. I was born in Toronto General Hospital to Margaret (Fox) Frazier and Earl Ward Frazier. My name was changed to Marne Louise Lewis at adoption. My adoptive parents were Robert George Lewis and Doris (Russell) Lewis. They lived in the GTA and then moved to Gilford.
4674. Jshulga : Born at Toronto East General Hospital
4675. SandraEvans2023 : I am looking for my husband’s maternal grandmother’s birth parents. Her adoptive name is Doris Margaret Ouderkirk We are unsure about her DOB but she has had children starting in 1949 (my husband’s mother) so I would surmise 1915 -1920 Her adoptive parents were Leonard and Madelyn Ouderkirk. They resided in York and Huntsville area. The only true info we have about Doris is that she was adopted.
4676. Sabassabie : My name is Sabrina I am looking for a half sister that would be in her 40’s right now adopted from birth. Name of birth mother is Barbara Higgins. Info on birth mother: DOB: January 2 1963‚ born in Regina‚ Saskatchewan CA. Would have been very young at age of childbirth maybe 16‚ give or take a couple years not sure exactly but from what I know at least within 15-20 years old is when the birth of the adopted female would have taken place (1978-1983). Also birth mother was hadicapped with spina bifida since birth if this info is relevant or not. This birth may have been in the Ottawa area or in Saskatchewan but I don’t know for sure. I also don’t know the exact year‚ month or hospital.
4677. Newt50 : My dear son‚ you have been in my heart and on my mind every day since I gave birth to you. I never wanted to give you up but came to realize after much pressure on the part of my parents‚ that I couldn’t offer you what you deserved. A complete family. At 17 I had so little to give. Nothing but my whole heart. So I gave you up and then became really sick with depression. I long to find you and answer any questions you may have. My love for you has never waned.
4678. Suesanthiessen2023 : Hello I am the birth aunt to Sean Michael Thiessen born circa 1970 and Darren Frank Thiessen born circa 1971 at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in ElliotvLake Ontario. Your mother was Gwen Thiessen ne Gofenko and your father was Michael Thiessen.
4679. Nliz678 : My mother’s last name was Brown. I was adopted in Ottawa‚ Ontario
4680. Tracymo : When born in Toronto‚ Ontario‚ you were given the birth name Michael. I know very little about you but would like to meet you. Your birthday mothers name was Sue Anne Coxon.
