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 1,205,521 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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Nymwen123
11 hours ago
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
4846. Shirl1122 : I am an adoptee looking for any family members. My Name at birth was Kristin Lei S. Born August 6 1970 in Belleville Ontario at BGH
4847. FindingMichaelMcKeow : My siblings and I are searching for our missing link‚ the 3rd sibling of the brood of 6‚ born Michael Tyler McKeown in Oshawa‚ Durham Region‚ Ontario on May 24‚ 2001. Birth Mother is Jennifer Lynn Couture‚ now known as Ishka-Jenny Isha-Mishaal Bah‚ born 09/09/1980 in Bathurst‚ New Brunswick. Birth Father is William Clarence McKeown‚ born 01/20/1971 and passed away 09/22/2016 in Toronto‚ Ontario. Michael has a total of 10 other siblings‚ including one that unfortunately was a stillborn. The list of known kids of Jennifer Lynn Couture: 7. The list of known kids of William Clarence McKeown: 5 The list is as follows: Jordan M. Couture - Female‚ Adopted by Family Joseph M. Couture - Male‚ Adopted by Family Michael T. McKeown - Male‚ Adopted out Katy B. McKeown - Aged out of foster care after first placement at 12/13 Angel - stillborn‚ timeline unsure. Kayla K.M. Couture - Female‚ Adopted out Angela D. Lavigne Couture - Female‚ Adopted out (same family as Kayla)
4848. Maryleahgillis : My son was born in Guelph‚ Ontario On June 4‚ 1967 and went to his adoptive parents from the motherhouse shortly after he was born. The adoption had been arranged and I was told he went to a Doctor and his wife. I spent the last few months of my pregnancy at the motherhouse in Guelph. I was in university when I became pregnant and with some discussion with my mother (my father died in 1958) we decided at this point in my life I should have the baby and put him up for adoption. We met with the priest and people at our Catholic Church in Charlottetown where I was born and then My mother drove me to Guelph to finish out my pregnancy and have my baby.
4849. JennyML : Looking for information/medical history only
4850. Oakley1962 : Looking for biological daughter Fernanda lynn Wicks Born Winchester Ditrict Memorial Hospital Parents Mother Kim Wicks Father Alex Markel
4851. Cochelma : Private adoption in Sudbury to a family whose Husband worked at Laurentian University.
4852. Akm3 : Birth could have occurred in Kitchener or Huron/Bruce County.
4853. Muchnick : ANNE RUTH NEWMAN MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL
4854. CWoods1969 : I am looking for our older sister. She was born in August 1967 in Cobourg Ontario Canada. Her birth name was Tina Ann Lewis. Our mother tried to raise her but as a teenage single parent found it was difficult and decided the best thing to do was give her up for adoption to a loving caring family. Gail (our mother) has opened up her side of the adoption records and with hopes that she would come looking for her. Mom’s health is not the best and I know it would mean a lot her if we could find lost but not forgotten daughter. Update: January 2024‚ Mom passed away in 2016. I would really still like to find my older 1/2 sister if she wants to meet us.
4855. TheresaBD : Kingston‚ Ontario
4856. Dgbaker : Needing to find information about my medical history. Adopted mother took the information to her grave and never told me any information that she had about my birth parents. I was adopted at 6mths of age to George and Ann Baker
4857. Joanne149 : I have missed you and thought of ‚ probably every day since‚ you were taken. I have wondered if you are happy‚ healthy‚ married‚ children. There has not been a May 16th that I have not wished you a happy birthday. I hope you are kind‚ helpful‚ gorgeous‚ and just a great Man. I swear to God‚ I have never stopped thing of you. I hope you are having your best life. Thank you Christine Sauve Smith. From Carleton place‚ Ontario‚ Canada.
4858. Pgallan : My mom had a baby at 14‚ the baby was thought to be fathered by her aunt husband‚ she was abused. She has since passed but remembers very little‚ she was delayed mentally. She was told the baby died.... we believe it was winter of 75-76‚ at St. Catherine’s hospital. Her Aunt was a delivery nurse at the hospital and it was her husband that was impregnating her. We believe there was an illegal adoption‚ for fear of abuse charges against her husband. She members hearing the baby cry when it was born.
4859. Britneyhartwick : The only name I know him by is David Southerland
4860. Anthony02 : I don’t know any names I just know that my mothers name is Delina Ann Stutz and I have 9 other siblings out there
