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 1,205,522 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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Ontario
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
4711. Kperry1384 : Looking for my half brother who was adopted from the Woman’s College Hospital in Toronto on November 5th‚ 1969. He was born on November 5th and apparently was adopted three days later. The adoption was organized by Toronto Catholic Children’s Aid. I don’t know his name.
4712. Jordanashby : His Birth name is Jacob Ashby. His mother is Crystal Birdsell (Machado) his dad is Brad Ashby. He was adopted March 15th 2000. He has 4 siblings me‚ Jordan Ashby‚ a sister Abby Birdsell‚ 2 other brothers‚ Xavier Paiva and Daymen Machado. Our parents where teenagers when they had us‚ you are only a year older than me and Id love to meet you!
4713. Goderich : Believe my half sister born in Toronto Ontario. Birth parents are Mrs. Lillian Dixon and Malcolm Fraser Marlatt. Don’t know the name of the hospital.
4714. Jenbrisebois : His name is Thomas Joshua. He has a sister Caroline. His parents names are Lisa and David. They originally lived near or in Waterloo Ontario. I am excited to find him and introduce myself and my family to him. He is always a huge part of my every day life. He is forever in my heart and on my mind.
4715. Michellemalboeuf : Looking for my Grandfather’s family. His birth name was Harry Daniel Chapman and he was named Maurice Malboeuf by his adoptive parents or perhaps the other way around.
4716. Kindleworm : Donna Phoenix
4717. Finnessy : Female child born between 1950-53. Maybe at a facility for unwed mothers near Ottawa. Mother was 15 or 16. Mothers birth name is Patricia (Patsy) Vivian Finnessy. Father unknown.
4718. LauraArthur : Looking for Shannon Finn
4719. Awpierce : my mother was born joanne benoit then adopted to and renamed joanne wetherley. born september 4th 1953 was adopted and then they moved to the states in 1958
4720. Debgee : I am looking for my 1st cousin that I have only recently aware of his being born in the late 50’s in Scarborough Ontario. His birth name was Wayne Stephen Hastings. I believe he as adopted in the early 60’s through Toronto Children’s Aid. His family would love to find him and hope he has had a good life. We love you and want you in our lives.
4721. Tinathoma : You were adopted out of the Bethesda home in London Ontario our mothers were friends and we have the same father I would love to talk to you ? At birth your last name was zelas I might have spelt wrong hoping your I. Here !!!
4722. Heinbecker84 : I had him at st Catharines hospital not sure his name since I did not name him I gave them my name amanda heinbecker but my phone number changes my birth date is Feb 10 1984 I lived in Niagara falls at the time, not sure doctor.
4723. MissShelby : My name is Shelby Urquhart‚ and when I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy in November of 2021. He was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton Ontario‚ Canada. Officially named Carter Benjamin Urquhart‚ his selected adoptive parents (Neil and Erin‚) changed his name to Clarke‚ but kept Carter Benjamin as his middle names. The private adoption agency I used was called New Beginnings and my case worker’s name was Bonnie. At the time of this entry‚ (2023‚) they reside in Ottawa‚ Ontario Canada.
4724. Cissearching : Looking for my mother’s birth family. Name at birth was Kimberly.
4725. Montgomery999 : Born in Ottawa. I was adopted about 2.5 years after birth. My birth name was Brenda. i would like to find my birth parents and any possible siblings
