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 1,204,963 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
1441. ClarissaEC : I am desperate to find my mother. I used to be a foster child because I wasn’t able to live with my mom because she was sick and unable to take care of me. I have a sister who is 2 years older than me, I’m born in July, and I had to spend extra days in the hospital after birth because they were scared there was something wrong with my brain but it was actually just dry blood from my mother falling on her stomach while pregnant. That’s all I know
1442. Conniehowatt : Hey name was Jennifer lynn Mary rose Nelson, the hospital was so st joseph general hospital Sault ste marie. Chs was involded and church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints her birth mom’sname was sherry lea Nelson.
1443. Jennamarie00000000 : Father was Tom Bezaire mother was Tina???? Siblings im looking for is Erica and Trevor Bezaire at birth
1444. Dianegrattan : was born in Oshawa Ontario Canada born at home
1445. Angelalassemba : I have been looking for my sister for 31 years the last time i saw her i was about 5 or 6 years old now im 37 and i realy want to find her...my mom gave her up for adoption when she was a baby because my mom was 15 years old at the time and badly abused..i do not know her birth month or date i put a date that i thought but its not it...i cant ask my mom because she passed away 8 years ago....can you please help me my wish is to find my sister
1446. MizzEllaBella75 : All I know is I was born in Toronto, I was named Marlene at birth. I was placed for adoption through the Catholic family and children’s services in Toronto. My birth mother was young, possibly 16/17. I was adopted when I was two so I’m thinking that I was apprehended by the CAS at some point. My adoptive parents never really spoke of the adoption or inclined to disclose any information.
1447. Nanniesouttolunch : I was born Joyce Watchorn Feb 14, 1946 at the Red Cross Hospital in Dymond Timiskaming, Ontario Canada to Dorothy Annabelle Watchorn and she stated that a George Clement was my father but no clue as to which George Clement. I was adopted at 9 days old by Karl & Lillian Reinholt who lived in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. I have found five of my siblings ten years ago, so I am quite happy to have found them. I believe my search is complete.
1448. Gashiminwadaanis45 : You were born at Toronto General Hospital. Your father is Edward Emerson Morrow.
1449. ChristineW : Searching on behalf of my Father, the adoptee. Looking for any birth family.
1450. Pjneely0010 : Stephen Robert Gillespie Toronto, Ontario
1451. Susahjacques : If you are related to me I would love to connect
1452. Spiersqu : My brother Jackson Dort was born to our mother Constance Jamie Spiers May 27th 2001, he was adopted shortly after his third birthday he should be 17 this month and 18 next year it’s been about 14 years since I’ve had any contact with him and I would very much like to meet my little brother
1453. Hammer1857 : Horwood, CAS, Windsor ON,
1454. MeldLambert : I was Born in Kitchner Ontario, adopted through a private adoption in Goderich Ontario on Aug 30, 1984. My mom was 15 when She gave birth. My father wasn’t informed of the pregnancy at that point. My brief background states that my grandfather, and grandmother on his side are of German Decent. As for my mother, it states that she has an olive skin tone, a few brothers and sisters. On my mothers side they seem to be on the shorter side (4’5’- 5’1’) . My fathers side was ( 6’0" and over). Hobbies that she listed were reading, and knitting.
1455. Christopherrichard : just want tofind my birth parents
