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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10,989 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 1,204,965 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
4816. Sharoncarradine : Twin sister and I adopted at 13months st thomas ont area Born in Toronto ont One of parents last name macDonald
4817. RHill04 : My baby’s name at birth was Matthew James Hill. He was born in St Joseph Hospital in London Ontario. December 16‚ 1998.
4818. 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.
4819. Ajl05 : sisters name is Desiree changed to Isabelle after adoption unsure of last name.
4820. Jackiebob : Was born at women’s college hospital
4821. Hammond5 : My Grandfather born in 1878 at the Burnside Lying in wait Hospital at Toronto General. Name is Charles Mack. Mother listed only as Mrs Mack. Looking for adoption papers to family with last name of Baker. Wanting to know where biological mother came from.
4822. Dadzilla : I’m looking for my son who was adopted out on me after I exhausted all my money fighting for him. I had 2 solid years of extremely good visits with him and support from my Children’s Aid workers and they both quit working for the institution due to things they experienced that didn’t agree with morally I would assume. My son was adopted away from me and I have never stopped thinking about him. His younger siblings are aware of him and we all hope to see /meet him sooner than later We love you Garette Please help me find my son
4823. Jt22242 : Twin adoption - boy and girl 1994 Toronto
4824. PenelopeAnneWinter : I am the older adopted sister of Stephen John Winter. He does not live in the Country now. There were no other siblings or family members except our adopted mother and father. I never saw his adoption papers therefore do not know that information. He lived in central Toronto went to university and became a scientist. He then worked for a large oil company for many years and now is retired. He married twice once in Toronto then in the other country. He was an intelligent boy during his school years and enjoyed a little sports. He also loved the country fishing boating swimming and hot dog/ marshmallow bon fires. He has two children by the second wife. I have not been in touch for many years with him. I am sorry I do not have a photo and as we are not in touch I am not sure I can get one. I will see what I can do. He was fairly tall blondish with thin hair. Good looking.
4825. Saintwolfy1 : I am hoping to connect with a sister I have never had the opportunity to meet.
4826. Amills222 : I was abandoned at birth in the holiday in in Oakville Ontario August 1978‚ was not born in a hospital. with mother used ficticious name of Mary-Lou Smith of Port hope and unpaid bill of $32. I have a copy of the news paper article from the Toronto star date August 18‚1978 where I was featured on the cover of the family classified section called "The abandoned infant tiny bundle wrapped in despair by Doris Hopper. I have recently submitted Ancestry DNA to uncover any biological matches.
4827. Suetrop : Born in Niagara Falls Hospital. Adopted through Niagara Family & Children Services. Adopted family located in Niagara Region‚ possibly St. Catharines. Agreement was made to have one of his names be Tyler. I’m his grandfather‚ and both his mother and I are hoping to connect.
4828. Robertjohnbmason : I was born in Scarborough ontario at Scarborough general hospital June 12 1969. My eldest two kids have asked me to do this.
4829. Head74 : Baby girl born in Grantham‚Ontario‚Niagra region‚ (my mother)‚was adopted by a family in St.Catherines‚Ontario‚ They named her Wendy Head I’m unsure as to the details of the adoption‚she passed at 43 in 1996 Calgary‚Alberta‚ And her adopted parent are both gone‚‚ I have a void in my life and I need to know who they were‚
4830. Jennaxo89 : Father Chester Liddell Mother francis
