Ontario Adoption Records
The world's largest adoption reunion registry for adoptees and families
Start Your Search Today
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
10,989 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 1,204,962 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
-
Shawnammorey
3 hours ago
-
AngelaPuhr
4 hours ago
-
Jaygray
10 hours ago
-
Sven709
37 minutes ago
-
Wecouldbestars
17 hours ago
-
Stownes
21 hours ago
-
Heather83Ashl
22 hours ago
-
Jason15627
22 hours ago
-
Geoff35
1 hour ago
-
Lianeopal
2 hours ago
-
NBlanch66
6 hours ago
-
TBriden21
19 hours ago
-
Rufus1968
54 minutes ago
-
TaraFortier
1 hour ago
-
Sandbox2025
1 hour ago
-
TomSnyder-Dan
5 hours ago
-
JenRen519
6 hours ago
-
AmberRTucker
7 hours ago
-
Alexisguinane
9 hours ago
-
Shotingstar19
14 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
586. Christopher1978 : Born April 3 1978, at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Mother was caucasion, blue eyed red hair, young, Father unknown. My birth name was Jason Christopher.
587. RodneyWilliam : I was born Sept. 1 1958 near Lindsay Ont. and put up for adoption my birth name is William Charles Grant.
588. Sher666 : my name is Sherry Dunbar.IM looking for my two birth daughters who were adopted toghther in the year 2001‚2000. Callie Ann Dunbar. was born September9th 1999.Cassie Ann dunbar was born October 31st 2000. Callie ann was born at Scarborough general hospital. Cassie Ann was born at toronto east general hospital. they were adopted from the catholic childrens aid. family doctor at the tome was Dr.Bruce Truscott.i heard they might be in the Ancaster Ontario area.
589. Lokikirjaa : I am from Peterborough Canada. My mom’s name is Danielle. She was 19 when she had me and was probably still in the military.
590. Brendareeves : i am searching for my mother, i was adopted in smith falls ontario. i was given the name bonnie lee dorman. my adopted parents are ernest and doris dorman. i have 1 adopted sister who is not blood sibling named beverly dorman. i wish to find my birth parents for which my daughter brenda-lee reeves needs for medical records. i was born on january 23 1955. i have brown hair, hazel eyes. 5’3 and weight around 150lbs.
591. Dishman : Brampton Peel Hospital my adopted parents surname is Disher
592. Korie2017 : Was born in grey Bruce health services Owen sound ontario.. the agency was Bruce grey child and family services in 2014
593. Ruthere1234 : My mothers name that adopted mes name is tina miller. my biological fathers name is edward clarence obrien.pete knelsen raised me! he past away 2 years ago. He told me that ed was my father, edwards birthday was in june. mine is april 17th 1972. i was raised in richmond ontario grew up aylmer ontario area,,, i was born in tillsonburg, hospital in ontario.my birthday may not even be right? i was abused by 70 year old man at mothers hands for 7 years, tried to kill me! multiple times! please help me find my family!
594. Ruthere1234 : i Know my dads name is edward clarence obrien
595. SheilaW : He was born John Meagher in the city of Hamilton
596. Cherryann : Looking for Christopher born July 10‚ 1997 at Scarborough General hospital. Please email me.
597. Judygould : name from adoption registry Mark Douglas Shoniker. The doctor was dr.Nurse I had been at St. Monica home for unwed mothers before giving birth He had another adopted brother and french was spoken in the home as well as english the mom was bilingual
598. Cnauta : Born at Victoria Hospital in London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada.
599. Bruno1940 : My father’s birthday mothers name was Maria Gargetta. My father was born August 16- 1940 in Italy or near Italy. My father was put into a orphanage to Ottawa from Italy, then to Ancaster noOntario. Then was adopted to a family in St Catharines, Ontario. I’m not sure if it was official. My father now lives in Hamilton, Ontario. Any information on my Father’s birth mother would be wonderful. I’m assuming she is no longer living.
600. Susanlafleur : Birth Name Robert Lafleur Father Roger Lafleur Mother Yvonne Snubb
