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
10,989 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 1,204,958 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
601. Susanlafleur : Looking for first cousin her sister would like to find her. Birth name Paulette Brisson. Mother Irene Robillard Father Jean Paul Brisson
602. Janloud : I am searching for my birth mother whose name was June Thompson. She named me Marsha Ann Thompson. I was born at the Salvation Army home for Unwed Mothers in Toronto, Canada. The Children’s Aid Society handled the adoption.
603. Kenmacmcneil : Born at Joseph Brant hospital in Burlington Ontario Canada.....Adoptive parents names were Toni and John.....they had a dog named Abbey. I named her Marley Ann McNeil but upon adoption they renamed her Caitlin.
604. Fingers_crossed : Given birth name Deanna Marie Born in Kingston, Ontario at Kingston General Hospital Birth mother born 1954
605. Davies : My daughter was born at Henderson General in Hamilton,Ontario on December 17,1965
606. Davies : My daughter was born at Henderson General Hospital in Hamilton,Ontario on December 17,1965.
607. Sharonswaffer : Mike Bloomfield is my newphew and he has been trying to find his two sisters for many years. I have decided to help him out as he is running out of ideas to continue his search. They were put up for adoption together and he went into foster care. He would like nothing better than to meet them or at the very least to know if they are still alive and hopefully well. The following is a letter Mike received from the adoption agency many years ago after having sent for information regarding the girls. Adoption History of Susie and Denise prepared for their brother Mike Bloomfield Susie and Denise came into care when Susie was 5 and Denise was 7 years of age. They were placed together in a foster home when your mother was to be evicted from her apartment and the gas was to be turned off due to non payment of bills. On June 23rd, 1965,Denise,Susie and you were made permanent wards as your mother was unable to provide a home for all of you. Susie and Denise were placed in a home together in January 1966 in a home outside of the Haldimand_Norfolk area. They were placed with a couple who had already adopted a son. The son really enjoyed his role of big brother. The adoptive father is described as 5ft 7 in tall ,weighing 175 lbs. with broad shoulders,medium brown hair and hazel eyes. The adoptive mother is described as 5ft 4in tall, 140 lbs, with fair hair,hazel eyes,and medium to large bone structure. The records state she was "quite a pleasant looking woman with self assured manner". Both parents had attended University and both had their pilot’s license. As a family, they enjoyed flying, swimming and sailing.Mike Bloomfield is now 60 years old and has already searched for his two full sisters without success. He would like nothing better than to meet them or even to know that they are alive. I am Mike’s aunt and I am trying so hard to help him. The following is a letter Mike received many years ago while trying to trace the adopted girls. The adoptive mother was an active member of their church, taught Sunday school and was president of a women’s group. She was at one time, a public health nurse. Her hobbies were reading, crocheting, curling and golf. Her health was good. The adoptive father was a business man who was able to schedule his appointments so that he was home each evening. His interests were mostly outdoors, such as sailing, flying and golfing. The record states that " he is not an ambitious man but a man who likes to enjoy life and take each day as it comes". He is in good health. Their home was set on five acres of beautiful lakeshore property surrounded by orchards. Although there were no neighborhood children for them to play with, the family often invited other families to visit them at their cottage. From the description of the family finances, it is evident that two additional children in the family would cause no financial difficulties. In February of 1966, the adoptive mother wrote to the agency with an update regarding your sisters. She reported that Susie had the german measles but, other than that the girls were in excellent physical condition. She stated that the girls were settling down very well and had a "mutually agreeable " relationship with their son. The girls were capable of stirring up mischief but were learning what behavior was tolerated and what would get them sent to their room to cool off. The file states that Susie caught up to her classmates in school and made rapid progress as she was "very eager to learn ". The file later states that she would have to repeat grade one as she was not ready for grade two work. In a letter from the supervising Childern’s Aid Society, Susie is described as still being emotionally inmature and needed to learn to assert herself. The adoptive parents " love her very much". It notes that the mother was " quite moved by Susie’s need for her on return from hospital". She was operated on for a "T&A". (Which I believe stands for tonsils and adenoids but the file does not specify) in May 1966. While in the hospital,she became upset because they used her original name. As the adoption was not yet finalized). Arrangements were made to finalize her adoption before she needed to attend Sick Childerns Hospital for testsrelated to a heart murmur so that they would recognize her adoptive name. Denise reportedly settled in well. Her adoptive parents described her as charming , feminine and indeed lovable. She passed her school year but had some difficulty with math. Both girls attended swimming lessons. The file notes that the girls were wholly accepted by the family, including the grandparents. Contact ended in July 1966 as the adoptions of Denise and Susie were finalized. This letter was researched by : Lisa Kowalsky Prepared by: Lorie Walker for Laurie Reid Signed by: Patti Jacobs, Supervisor, Resource Department ’
608. Alinaj : Born Grace hospital in Ottawa. Gillian is mothers name. Art dealer in Ottawa area.
609. 416Jenna : Wellesley hospital Toronto Dr E Kirsh Mother Jean Kennedy born in Ontario of English descent
610. Alicia3jacqueline : I was born in Sudbury, ON. My birth mother wrote me a letter explaining why her and my father decided adoption was for the best. She decided to name me Jacqueline because it was a friends name and she always found it pretty. It’s now my middle name! This is all I know that would stand out for my application. The adoption was through CAS, who no longer matches families.
611. Shawnasmerage : I was born Shawna Lea White to father William Charles White and mother Mary Ivy White on July 23 1960 at Kingston General Hospital and was adopted on June 5 1964 through the Child Welfare Act.I have two siblings born previous to me.I would really like to connect.
612. Shawnasmerage : My birth parents are William Charles White and Mary Ivy White who were 25 and 21 respectively at the time of my birth.They had two other children at the time of my birth.I was born in Kingston at Kingston General Hospital on July 23 1960 and adopted on June 5 1964.
613. Shawnasmerage : I am searching for any living relative.I was born to William and Mary White in Kingston Ontario on July 23 1960.
614. Angiechevalier1978 : I am looking on behalf of my mother. She was born July 4, 1959. I would like to find any birth family out there! If there is a possibility that I have some family out there I would like to have contact with them. She is born in Carlton, Ontario.
615. KristenWall : Father- Brian Wall dob Aug.4 1961 Mother- Amanda Adams Born in St. Thomas Ontario at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital. Adopted through the St. Thomas children’s aid society
