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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10,989 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 1,204,964 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
1141. Echo1 : Born in Hamilton, ON on halloween in 1969 + or - a year. Birth mother’s maiden name is Wiggins.
1142. Dardenelle : Mothers name was Nancy Degraw, I was born in Windsor.
1143. TaylorIrwin : Hi, my name is Taylor. I am in search of my nephew Sean. Your adoptive parents names are Donna and Cory. I believe they are from Windsor Ontario. I’m assuming you’ll be turning 18-19 in February. Your birth fathers name is Shawn. He is my brother.
1144. PatriciaMoran : I was born Ottawa, ON in February 1963 Birth Mother: Judith Moran - she was approximately 22 years old at the time of my birth Birth Name: Patricia Moran Birth Father: Not named on birth certificate Name Given by Adopted Parents: Jennifer Lee .... I have been told that my birth mother’s family is from Ireland via England I have been told that she was about (could be shorter or taller) 5’7" and that she was blonde, blue eyes and slender I was told that her father was quite tall and slender I am 5’2 Blue Eyes (my best feature). My hair was blonde when I was born but darkened over time. I am petite but but curvy.
1145. Janettepage : City of Birth - Minden Ontario Adopted through the CAS Given name at birth: Lisa Anne Welsh
1146. Michaelpace : Michael Pace Ontario birth certificate I was born in Sicily Italy march 21. 1983 birth name Michael Caruana I came to Canada when I was 5 trying to find my parents I know they live in Sicily Italy and their family name is caruana my uncle told me
1147. Piperb123 : I am searching for my birth mother (or father). I was born at Toronto Grace hospital and adopted within 1-2 weeks of my birth. The only information I have at the moment is that my birth mother was Jewish. Thanks!
1148. Beautifulbutterfly : looking for my nephew and niece
1149. Bblancher : I was named Laurie Anne Scott at birth. I was born in East York Township, part of present day Toronto and adopted through the St. Catharine’s CAS.
1150. TanyaJohns : Birth Mothers married name is Darlene Rendell, born in 1954 Birth fathers first name is unknown last name Rendell born in 1948 passed away apparently in a car accident in 1970 and had 2 brothers, Frank and Dave.
1151. Pesach : Born in Scarborough
1152. Sherrimccharles : I just want to know if hes alive. And what he looks like today. He had some kind of social disability. I just hope hes alright. He can talk to me any time.
1153. Joe1geek : Looking for my birth mother and half siblings
1154. Butterfly985 : I don’t have much information to go on. Just that my mom Cary had a child in the early to mid 70’s in Ontario, was forced to adopt. I believe the name given was to the baby was Michael Paul. Most likely in Toronto, Ontario. The person I am looking for would be a half sibling of mine. Thank you
1155. Vautour48 : Born in Toronto. I believe Birth mother name is Kelly and had another son named Corey Jolliffe.
