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 1,205,518 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
4801. Christmas33 : Thx
4802. BurlingtonSister : Seeking half sister given up for adoption at birth at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington‚ Ontario. Born June 10 in 1961 most likely (but possibly 1962 or 1963). Birth father Don A. Birth mother Carol M.
4803. KellyForshee17 : My sister’s name at the time of birth was Connie Forshee. Her name is now Barbara‚ I believe. I do not have a last name. The year of birth could have been 1962 or 1963. Barbara’s mother’s name is Carole Forshee. She sent our mother a letter through the Adoption agency about 18 years ago asking about medical history. My mother responded to the Agency with a letter including detailed medical information and photos of my mom and dad to pass along to her. My mother never heard back. What I know is she is a Certified Scuba diver. She is married with Children‚ and has her own business. That is all the information I know. I really want to meet my sister!! I hope I get the chance to one day.
4804. JKPRML : Last name of Birth Mother begins with M. Name of Adopting Family is Fronik. First name of Adopted child before adoption was Michael. Michael was born out of wedlock. The adoption took place in Toronto in September‚ 1957.
4805. Lhauley : Richard was born to a young single woman who was married shortly afterwards. He was placed with Cameron and Ruth Adams directly from his own home on January 23‚ 1945. His birth mother was twenty-one years of age (1923)‚ Canadian born of English descent and was in the Canadian Women’s Army Corp in 1943. His birth father was a casual acquaintance. Richard was adopted through the Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton-Wentworth‚ Ontario.
4806. Brookejoy : Mavric‚ oldest brother to Scarlet and Clyde. Not a day has passed i have not thought about you. I miss you so much. I’m sorry I failed as a mother‚ I only hope one day I can once again hear from you guys. I miss you so much. I love you.
4807. Nixxie : I’m looking for any family member of my mom (d.o.b April 24‚ 1956‚ d.o.d Nov 4‚ 2014). She was adopted in 1958‚ at 2 years old with her sister who was 4. They were both born in the Greater Toronto area. I know they have a brother‚ a year younger than my mom‚ who stayed with their bitlrth family. I just want to find out where that side came from and meet any potential cousins. My mom passed never knowing her birth family‚ I’m hoping to bring her closure‚ even in death.
4808. HardsFamilySearch : Roger Boyd Short (nee Hards) is in search of any remaining members of his birth family. He was born in Toronto‚ Ontario on November 19‚ 1946‚ at Grace Hospital. His birth mother’s name is Ruth Barrett Hards. She was a Sales Clerk at the time of birth.
4809. Mjrace : I would be very interested in having contact with any biological family members. I did received a letter years ago from my bio mother who at that time did not want any further contact beyond the letter she sent - and I respect that. But if I have any siblings or my father that would be open to us getting to know each other I would be thrilled.
4810. Lorriecambridge : Searching for my cousin was born Robin Elizabeth Ireland in London Ontario. I was not made aware of her until 2012. I have not really known how to go about finding her. She is the only family I have left on my mother’s side of the family.
4811. Sharoncarradine : I was adopted with twin sister at 13 months. Foster care for 5 months previous. Born in York County Toronto One of parents last macDonald
4812. Sharoncarradine : Twin girls Adopted together were born in Toronto in catholic system
4813. Sharoncarradine : Twin sister and I adopted at 13months st thomas ont area Born in Toronto ont One of parents last name macDonald
4814. RHill04 : My baby’s name at birth was Matthew James Hill. He was born in St Joseph Hospital in London Ontario. December 16‚ 1998.
4815. Ghw1968 : Birth mother is from St. Johns Newfoundland‚ and when she gave birth‚ she was living in Serpent River He was born in Elliott Lake. Her name is Marjorie Marie Walsh. She was 24 years old when she gave birth‚ and no other children prior to this pregnancy.
