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 1,204,965 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
1351. Secretsaremine96 : Mother is Margaret Vandyken and believe the adoption took place in mississauga
1352. Silverlining : I believe James was born at Toronto General hospital. His mother had dealings with CCAS and James was placed in care of them. His mother had a year to get herself in order but someway, somehow, he was placed for adoption before that year expired. He was adopted by an employee or affiliate of the CCAS. She is of spanish descent. James biological mother is white and his father is black. Both are Nova Scotian.
1353. Gabes9764 : i was born in london, ontario and i was premature 4lbs
1354. Parmstrong : I am looking for my son Trevor Allen Armstrong..if u are out there please let me find you ..i have been trying to find u ever since I found out u were adopted .
1355. Cdsmiller17 : Your mother’s name was Patricia Birch or Burch. I was named by the Children’s Aid Society as the father, but I never heard anything more after your birth.
1356. ABrown77 : Born in Toronto. Connected to DNA relatives with the names Dowdle and Arbon from Oakville.
1357. MissRae123 : I Dont know a lot. My father was adopted in Hamilton Ontario Canada, by Patricia and Lenord Rantell. My dad passed away in November of 2016 and i am just looking to find out where he came from
1358. Cercando1965 : I was born June 2, 1965 in Toronto as James Kanellos and name was legally changed to Michael Angelo Tashos upon adoption. I was adopted at 14 months of age from Toronto Children’s Aid Society. My culture / roots are Greek (my birth mom is Greek and believe her name to be Mattina Kanellos) I believe to have another sibling(s) !
1359. PhillipMurray : I am Daniel Bobb my birth name before adoption was Phillip Muaary. My birth Mothers name was Marry Alice Murray . From Windsor Ontario.
1360. Mommissestristan : Tristan my son. I love you! Always
1361. Wayness : Kevin Dean Adams
1362. Mjlabunski : My birth name was Louise Mary Cardinal. Born in Sault Ste. Marie General Hospital. Adoption finalized Feb 22, 1964. Both parents approx. 22 yrs at time of my birt and were not married at the time. Looking for any family members.
1363. HURRIE : The male child was born between January and April 1960, day not known. Believe he was born in a Toronto hospital.
1364. Lis1964 : Looking to meet my parents or family
1365. Sheana42 : adoptees name at birth : Janice Puetz or Brooks born at: Soldiers Memorial Hospital Orillia Ontario was a private adoption Parents : Mother:Christine Ann Puetz Father : Robert Brooks Both From Penetang Ontario
