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
5 minutes ago
-
Wecouldbestars
16 hours ago
-
Stownes
20 hours ago
-
Heather83Ashl
21 hours ago
-
Jason15627
22 hours ago
-
Geoff35
36 minutes ago
-
Lianeopal
2 hours ago
-
NBlanch66
5 hours ago
-
TBriden21
18 hours ago
-
Rufus1968
22 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
1171. Bissonapril54 : Birth place Port Colborne Ontario Last name Beauregard There may be 1/2 siblings
1172. Mdoyle1984 : I was born in Perth Ontario and adopted as a young baby. I am female and searching for any information on my birth parents/ family.
1173. Kellyanne7 : born at Scarborough General Hospital on July 7 1978. WEIGH 8 LBS 13 OZ She was given up for private adoption . I was told to a family that had a 3 year old boy who was also adopted.
1174. Storm1986 : My birth father I have met Jeffery George Folz. I am looking to meet my birth mother Penny Marie Josephine Sharpe (according to my adoption papers my mother had another surname of Hanna). I was born December 3rd 1986 at Hanover Ontario and was adopted out in Owen Sound Ontario. I have 3 children and would love to get to know my mothers side of the family like I have met my fathers side of his family thank you
1175. Jdb1966 : My given Name may have been Paul Shawn Huro
1176. Kaila_cardwell : Not adopted, but looking for my biological father. He was not part of my life growing up and my mother doesn’t talk about him. I have the name Jim Nixon. I’m not sure of the validity of that. My mother’s name is Karen, I was born in Hamilton Ontario, June 1987. My father would have known my mother in the summer/fall of 1986. I believe the last time she saw him was fall 1986.
1177. Marcus3112 : 2892131540 mom call me
1178. MaryPike : Branson Hospital in Toronto Canada
1179. Katrina1988 : I love them more then anything
1180. Katrina1988 : I can still remember the last time I seen you guys we were 10 mins late that 10 mins I do not regret now if I knew it was the last time I was going to see you I would have hugged you more I would have kissed you more I miss you boys more then life will ever explain to you I hope you are not going threw the pain and loss I am I hope you have a loving home and your life is somewhat normal
1181. Drews : David Bruce Lupel (birth name)
1182. Charlesmccready : Oakville Hospital Ontario Canada I think I was adopted about the age of 2
1183. BeverlyAnnEllis : Person Adopted Beverly Ann Ellis Adopted name Nancy Janet Fisher Born in London Ontario Canada on June 9, 1942 In the County of Middlesex Adopted June 9, 1946 Adopted parents Harold Wilbur Fisher and Florence Winifred Fisher Was entered in Adoption Book No 2 folio 169 [26] On the 27 March 1946 in the County Court House in the County Of Essex Ontario Canada
1184. Karni : St. Catharines general hospital born June 18 th 1962. Adopted Fairview mall family and child services at 6 months. Original name Kevin Jenkins. Changed at adoption
1185. Bruder1495 : I am searching for my dad’s birth parents names. For medical and personal reasons. I am sure they have both deceased by now. He may have one sister. He was unsure if she was his real sister. My dad has also deceased aswell.
