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 1,205,528 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
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
826. BeGTAvg : Born in Sarnia‚ Ontario. The adoption agency I believe was in Sarnia‚ Ontario.
827. Pugmomma73 : Hello, my name is Dorothy Montgomery. Before I got married it was Dorothy Virginia reikie. My name before I got adopted was Brenda Lee Corkum and was born at Waterloo hospital in Kitchener Ontario. I am trying to see if I have siblings, if my biological parents are alive.
828. Hjhaller : Looking for my father’s birth parents that live in Germany.
829. Taylorbarkhouse : I am looking for my half sister who was adopted out, we have the same dad, her birth name was Jessica Sandra marie Barkhouse, born April 9th 1983, her birth mother is Susan minor and birth father is Blair Barkhouse, she was adopted out in 1988/89
830. Lynnparkes : The birth name of the adopted sibling is Robert Feldcamp. He was born in Toronto in 1948 and was adopted in 1953. He was taken into the care of the CAS of Toronto. His parents were John (Jack) and Moreen Feldcamp. Both parents are deceased. Robert was the youngest of 3 siblings. The oldest, Sandra, was born Jan 12, 1946 and was raised in foster care until she aged out in 1964. We have found her and unfortunately, she is now in hospital with a prognosis of a 6 month life expectancy (June 2020). The middle child, Donald John Feldcamp, was born Feb 12, 1947 and was adopted by George and Alice Parkes in 1952. I am Donald’s second wife (his first wife passed away in 2011). All we know is that Robert was born in 1948. The non-identifying information we received only provided the year of birth. We know his name was Robert from information provided by Don’s aunt. We have found and met an aunt, several cousins and a cousin once removed. We have done DNA testing with Ancestry.ca and would love to complete the family.
831. 19421959 : The adoption was handled by the children aid
832. GreatVine : William Douglas - probably birth name Kenneth Douglas Cole - adopted name and perhaps name of adopted father
833. North17 : I believe that Rains (Raines) was the mothers last name. I was born at St Joseph’s General Hospital in Elliot Lake
834. MorganRipley : Applicant: Birth name Layla Josiephine Chinook Hoping to find: Birth mother, birth father, and/or any siblings Adoptees: Layla Josiephine Chinook Jacobs, Dakoda Joshua Aaron Jacobs Mother: Rhonda Michelle Jacobs, background unknown Father: Josieph, Native background Relevant info: Mother was severely anorexic, also actively battles drug addiction, severe mental health disorders, was/is abusive, was abused (probably still is). She has had a few run-ins with police for theft and violence. Adoptee birthplaces: both took place at Civic Hospital, Peterborough, ONT Known places of residence: 384-1/2 George st., Peterborough, ONT 207 3rd st, N.E., Calgary, AB. Michelle also had connections to Turner Valley AB., and Edmonton AB. Other info: Cody attended LeRoi Daniels, 47 Fyffe Road, S.E. Calgary, AB. for two weeks in January, 1998 August 17, 1998, we were found with a lady by name of "Evelyn" who tried to help, she was part of a church group in N.E. Calgary, the N.E. Bible Church. August 17, 1998, Evelyn brought the us to social services, where we were immediately transferred to foster care. Foster care: August 17, 1998, transferred to residence of Joe and Dale Kajmowicz in Irricana, AB. Michelle also touched base with CUPS, and the St. Vincent dePaul Society, sometime in 1997/1998
835. Karened63 : I was born June 28, 1954 in York county Toront. My birth Mothers name was Joyce Evelyn McMurray. She was 15 at the time of my birth. She called me Penny Marie McMurray. She would be 78 years old. Any information would be appreciated.
836. Susy123 : Born in London, Ontario Born in the hospital that was connected to the unwed mother home I was adopted from the childrens aide society
837. Ashleyleggib12 : Mississauga Brampton Milton Alexis chareeche legree tammy legree
838. Shawnstewart : Looking for birth mother. Born. South Waterloo memorial hospital. Birth name Frances Anne Ney.
839. 121968wanttofind : Please email me if you have any information
840. Knk34 : Trying to find birth parents,siblings and or Aunts and Uncles..
