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 1,204,960 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
1231. Christinep : I’m searching on behalf of my husband Blake, his birth name was Arthur MacGillvray(sp?) His adopted parents are Ruth Marie & James Gardiner Pillman. They resided in Bramalea when the adoption took place. They adoption was through the Children’s Aid Society.
1232. Donny80 : Her birth name was Kathleen Alice Thompson She was born on Feb 2nd 1939 She had 6 siblings of which I am looking for The judge that did the adoption’s name is D.B. Coleman She was adopted from the Children’s Aid Society Oshawa Ontario on June 4th 1940
1233. Kimmyg74 : Serenity Barbara River Guthro born in Hamilton ontario Canada born at st joes hospital..
1234. SuzanneMarsolais : He was born at the Welsely Hospital in Torontr throught the catholic childres aid. He was taken right from the hospital and adopted into a french family in 1977. I named him Ryan Lynn Marsolais.
1235. Em1975 : Im looking for my son Steven that i gave up for adoption he was born in peel morial hospital in brampton Ontario August 6 1995 i hope to find him to tell him about his other siblings and to see how he is doing
1236. Tammystewart : Brampton hospital at 6 weeks old. Birth mothers last name is Moore and my birth name is Tammy Lynn Moore changed to Tammy Lynn Stewart at adoption. I have a copy of original adoption papers.
1237. Tammystewart : I was adopted in Ontario, Canada, within a year of birth. We have not been in contact since the time of the adoption. Brampton hospital at 6 weeks old. Birth mothers last name is Moore and my View More Brampton hospital at 6 weeks old. Birth mothers last name is Moore and my birth name is Tammy Lynn Moore changed to Tammy Lynn Stewart at adoption. I have a copy of original adoption papers.
1238. Tammystewart : I was adopted in Ontario, Canada, within a year of birth. We have not been in contact since the time of the adoption. Brampton hospital at 6 weeks old. Birth mothers last name is Moore and my View More Brampton hospital at 6 weeks old. Birth mothers last name is Moore and my birth name is Tammy Lynn Moore changed to Tammy Lynn Stewart at adoption. I have a copy of original adoption papers.
1239. Sarah1981 : I was born at St Joseph hospital
1240. ColleenCallegari : Baby girl born 11/25/1967 in Sarnia, Ont. at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Parents were from Alberta age 16-18. Baby named Elizabeth Ann
1241. Rachael01415 : I am looking for my older adopted sister named Amiee. I believe she was born in Hamilton or Dundas area of Ontario, on March 4th 1981. My mothers name is Wendy. From my knowledge she attended Mohawk College for Travel and Tourism.
1242. Michaelcross : Looking for medical information
1243. Teelee32 : I wish to find my son I gave up In 1997, he was born Oakville trafalger Jam 28yh 1997. I pray for him everyday!! His name At birth was Jefferey Lee Newport. Please jelp
1244. Shell599 : I am looking for information on my birth father
1245. MichaelHughWorsley : I was born in Windsor Ontario and was told I was adopted at 6 weeks of age. I have Brown hair and brown eyes.
