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 1,204,962 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
4 hours ago
-
AngelaPuhr
4 hours ago
-
Jaygray
10 hours ago
-
Sven709
42 minutes ago
-
Wecouldbestars
17 hours ago
-
Stownes
21 hours ago
-
Heather83Ashl
22 hours ago
-
Jason15627
22 hours ago
-
Geoff35
1 hour ago
-
Lianeopal
2 hours ago
-
NBlanch66
6 hours ago
-
TBriden21
19 hours ago
-
Rufus1968
58 minutes ago
-
TaraFortier
1 hour ago
-
Sandbox2025
1 hour ago
-
TomSnyder-Dan
5 hours ago
-
JenRen519
7 hours ago
-
AmberRTucker
7 hours ago
-
Alexisguinane
9 hours ago
-
Shotingstar19
14 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Ontario Who Chose To Be Featured
1366. Melindaimbeault199 : Hello my name is Melinda Imbeault-Davis I gave birth to a baby girl name Marie Louise Imbeault on November 27th 1999 in Ottawa Ont then was adopted when she was about 2 years old to my Step brother Doug Peck and his wife Shaun Peck They lived in Toronto Ont of the time of adoption Thank you Melinda Imbeault-davis
1367. ChristopherFlynn : My name is Ian Kobelak, born in Toronto. Mother’s name was Jane Cleowen Flynn. (she was born in the UK) My birth name was Christopher John Flynn (father wasn’t on hospital records)
1368. ShellyK53 : Brantford general hospital Dr farley
1369. GBK1955 : My sister was born in Grace Hospital in Windsor, ON. Her hair was brown at birth. Adoption arranged by Children’s Aid Society of Sarnia, ON.
1370. TaraP13 : My name is Debra Allison Funk. Born Deborah Lynne Giddins on April 15th 1966 My mother’s name is Gloria May Giddins. She was 20 at the time of my birth living in the Humewood house on 40 Humewood Toronto ont. I was born at Toronto general hospital. Dr. Istvan was the doctor.
1371. EugeneShilling1968 : I am searching for my birth father. I hope you’re still alive.
1372. EugeneShilling1968 : My birth name is Eugene Ryan Shilling. My birth mother is deceased, her name is Wendy Lois Shilling. I also have a birth brother born approximately 3 years before me in Ontario, his birth name is Craig Robert Shilling. I have never met him. I was born at York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill Ontario.
1373. EugeneShilling1968 : My sibling has same birth mother, Wendy Lois Shilling, different birth father. He was born approximately 3 years before me in Ontario, birthdate unknown. His birth name is Craig Robert Shilling
1374. Lorilyn : My niece was adopted and it would mean the world to me if I could find her . She was born at Humber Memorial Hospital in Downsview Ontario. As far as I know the Catholic Children’s Aid was in charge of the adoption. This is all of the information I have and I hope it will be useful.
1375. CottageGal : Born: Toronto, Ontario Surname: Walker
1376. Marbles123456 : birth parents, born nov 21 1980 in oshawa my adopted name is chad micheal martin roberts this is all i know
1377. Calebfischer86 : Trying to connect the dots for my mother who was adopted.
1378. Margo1976 : John Benjamin Grffirn was adopted in 1911 or 1912. His Doctor Was Dr George Buck at possible St Joseph’s hospital in Toronto,York,Ontario,Canada. He celebrated his birthday on Mar 3. He died in 1976 in Toronto. I am his grandaughter. My daughter is having medical problems and the other sides of the family do not have the same symptoms. Her doctor would like to find out what the family background is regarding medical health. I just recently found out that he was adopted by Peter John Griffin and Margaret Griffin nee Sawyer in around 1911 or 1912. They lived I think 217 Niagara St in York,Toronto.
1379. Huggiebears : Baby Girl Duguay born on Friday‚ February 24‚1984 at 6:01 pm in Etobicoke‚ Ontario Canada Birth mother-Shirley Ann Duguay 18 yrs Birth Father- Douglas Edward Mason 17 yrs
1380. Rdymond : my name is robert jeffery dymond. I was born in etobicoke ontario April 9 1970
