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 1,204,958 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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Ontario
-
Shawnammorey
3 hours ago
-
AngelaPuhr
3 hours ago
-
Jaygray
9 hours ago
-
Sven709
4 minutes ago
-
Wecouldbestars
16 hours ago
-
Stownes
20 hours ago
-
Heather83Ashl
21 hours ago
-
Jason15627
22 hours ago
-
Geoff35
34 minutes ago
-
Lianeopal
2 hours ago
-
NBlanch66
5 hours ago
-
TBriden21
18 hours ago
-
Rufus1968
21 minutes ago
-
TaraFortier
1 hour ago
-
Sandbox2025
1 hour ago
-
TomSnyder-Dan
4 hours ago
-
JenRen519
6 hours ago
-
AmberRTucker
6 hours ago
-
Alexisguinane
9 hours ago
-
Shotingstar19
14 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
1096. LarissaB15 : I am seaching for my 28year old daughter. She was adopted put of Walkerton ‚ON. Last known address was Walkerton‚ON. Her name at birth was Hunter Lee
1097. Desidrew : I have known about my brother for 28 years and have not been able to find him. It wold really help me to if I could find the "missing piece".
1098. Lyledec : I was born in Cornwall Ontario. I was adopted by Nathan and Ann Decaire. I was baptized at St. Andrews West, Catholic Church.
1099. Courtlyn1 : My birth name was Kelly Ann last name started with the letter L. Was born in the wee hours on may 28 In st joe’s hospital in Hamilton. Adoption was through the Catholic children’s society. I was appx 3 weeks old when I was adopted. I am a mom now and would like to know medical information. And to say thank you. I can only imagine how scared you must of been, I am truly looking for medical information Anything more would truly be a gift. Thank you.
1100. VickiRosengren : My name is Victoria Ann Rosengren. Olive and Edward Rosengren adopted me when I was 6 weeks old. I was with my birth mother for those 6 weeks. I was born at the Toronto Western Hospital march 5 1947. There were 5 babies born on that day. One was up for adoption. I know very little about my birth mother except that she breast fed me for 6 weeks. She stayed at the Vida Lodge, Salvation Army. I have all my baptismal papers. I hope you will be able to help me. Being the only child up for adoption on that day hopefully that information is helpful
1101. Stevenboismier : my name was Leonard Pico and I was born at grace or hotel diew in windsor
1102. Jennydolinski1 : I also have a sister that was adopted too. She is from british columbia I was born at st Catherines general hospital on July 28th 1999. My father’s name may or may not be Greg Bedard.
1103. Hettyjane : Born welland hospital 1963 september 7th blonde hair blue eyes
1104. Sheila32 : Looking for my half sister, mom named her Joan Buckwald, Dr. Reeves delivered her! Joan was born in the Eganville, ( Wilberforce) Pembroke, Ontario area.
1105. RoxanneHowey : I am searching for Debra Ann Howey DOB May 30 1961. She was born in Ottawa Ontario but in 1976 she lived in Moscow Ontario. She gave birth to a baby girl at KGH which she named Roxanne Howey on July 11 1976. I am that baby girl and i weighed 6lbs 12 oz. My Birth Father is not listed on anything. All I know about you is your name, where you lived at the time of my birth and that you were an only child. I have 3 Children and 6 Grandchildren and would like to know of any medical information available.
1106. Carlenerobin : Birth mother’s name Ann Marie Hale, she was 19 when I was born. She lived in Scarborough, no info on Birth father other than he had a twin sister. He was 23 in 1962.
1107. Frankkwall : I would like to find you my brother your last name was wall
1108. Birst : York county, Toronto my name at birth- James Lynn Nuefield
1109. Jenholmes871107 : My dad was adopted from Toronto when he was 9 months old. He has brown hair and bright blue eyes. His parents have passed and he does not know who his birth parents are.
1110. Scott50years : Just looking for birth parents or siblings. I was adopted into a loving family. Wanting to know more.
