Ontario Adoption Records
The world's largest adoption reunion registry for adoptees and families
Start Your Search TodayAccessing 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 DirectoryAre 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 1,192,795 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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Samantha18mac 23 minutes ago
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
46. Auntiej : Looking for you ! Was your Bio Father named Tom Walsh ? Were you born 1962 Were you born in The Pas Manitoba Canada ? We only found out about a half brother in 2008 after Tom died. Please contact me.
47. Smilely64 : I want to find my birth family
48. AngelB55 : I would like to find birth parents or siblings. Mildred Jensen biological mother Earl Jenson biological father Hamilton catholic children’s aide Born in Henderson hospital
49. Stormor : I have been searching for a long time....I have very little to go on. I was born in Ottawa(civic) back in 1974. My birth date is November 1974. I had a ruff go as a child, but have come out as a smart, educated, successful man. I hope with all my heart that I can find any living relative.
50. Fpenkala : Likely placed through a Catholic and / or First Nations agency (private adoption?)
51. RobertLyleRyckman : I am looking for my birth mother.
52. ColleenGG : I am looking for my daughter who was born in Cornwall Ontario. The adopted name is Mary Victoria Ann Hamilton
53. Findbrother : I want to find my adopted half brother. Also the city he was born in was North York in a Jewish Hospital. Before adoption in hospital his name was David. We hope to find you for my mom and I.
54. Cm1try : Looking for my birth mom. You were young-or so I have been told- and away from your family. Riverside Hospital-again‚ what I have been told. You should know how thankful I am to you for making such a selfless act. You blessed me with wonderful parents and siblings‚ opportunities and good looks... But after many years of feeling a void it is time to fill the hole. I will continue to hope that one day we will meet and one day I will know where I came from and what my roots really are. Thank You I know some more now....my birth mom was 17 when she had the child. She had curly hair and round face (whatever that means). She was possibly from Novia Scotia and moved to Ottawa when she was pregnant. She lived in a home for young women who were pregnant. She had a boyfriend‚ of a couple years‚ when she got pregnant. He was a few years older and she didn’t tell him. She thought he would want to get married and she‚ at this time‚ did not want this for her or her child. She described her boyfriend as 5’8"-5’9" tall‚ on the quiet side and a hard worker. She had a father who worked for the u.s. government and this moved the family around a little. She had at least one brother and maybe a couple. Her Mom was most likely the only family member to know she was pregnant. Her and her brothers enjoyed sports and she particularly liked ice skating. A brother was possibly an engineering student at the time. Her father may have left‚ but she felt closer to him than her mother (I don’t know how exact my info is). My birth Mom felt people should get together‚ she didn’t like the racism she saw‚ particularly in America‚ and she thought she may work with people that have down syndrome and other mental disabilities. She wanted her baby to have more than she could provide. She wanted him to have opportunities and family she was unable to provide at the time. Not only do I think she was brave and selfless‚ but also pretty cool. I can’t imagine what she must of gone through- pregnant‚ alone and far from home. And wanting the absolute best for her child. I’ve never met you‚ but I love you. You’re selflessness gave me great parents. A Mom and Dad who have always shown unconditional love and who provided a loving home and opportunity. Brothers and sisters who I grew up with and love. I am certain you would be proud of the difficult decision you made. Thank you.
55. Dhahl : I am interesting in finding my birth parents and any other relatives I have. St. Catharines Ontario Canada Birthname - Wayne Alexander
56. Nanna8 : i want to find my grand daughter and her sibblings
57. Jbowdring : I am looking for my birth mother. I am not necessarily looking for a relationship, but I would like to know if there are any hereditary medical issues I should be aware of. I am interested in knowing who I look like and perhaps the circumstances around my adoption.
58. Yourfunnyguy : My birth name was Michael Parsons. I would like to find my birth mother. I was born July 12, 1963.
59. Dhitt777 : Born at Grace Hospital, on Wellington Street in Ottawa, Ontario.
60. Debi1971 : I want to find my birth brother. Valentines baby.