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 1,204,964 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
1471. Danmother : Looking for husband birth mother. She will be 80 years old. She was 20 years old in 1958. Hair color blonde. Petite around 5ft. Enjoyed crafts. Father was tall. Good teeth and hobbies was playing guitar. Cannot remember his name but those were the write up on adoption papers
1472. Woodlandangel : I was born at the Henderson maternity hospital in Hamilton Ontario on Feb. 19, 1972. my birth name was Patricia sally Anne, The head nurse at that times was named Patricia
1473. Stavesnana : Was born in East York...than my adoptive parent took me home to Glace Bay Nova Scotia. We moved to Ontario when I was 2. My birth Mothers name was Frances Gouthro and I think my biological dads name was Jim Dearing. I want to find my biological sister. I was told my dad had another daughter. She would be the oldest from a previous relationship...than there was a son...a daughter and myself from Frances. I would like to find the oldest daughter.
1474. Oosterveld76 : I was born in Southhamton and adopted through Oxford County Children’s aid. I had an enlarged right ear. I weighed 7lbs and 8oz at birth. My mother was 18 at the time and my father was 17 years old
1475. Allcity82 : I was adopted through Jewels for Jesus adoption centre via Mrs Wardlaw.
1476. Mizzjackson : The City was Hamilton Ontario St Josephs hospital ( I think) mothers first name was Margaret my name given at birth was Mary The agency was Childrens Aid Society of Hamilton.
1477. Kayelless : I am looking for my dad’s birth family. He was born in Ottawa on June 10, 1953 and given up for adoption at 10 months old. His dad told him that he believes that his birth mothers name was Theresa Decaire (sp?)
1478. Devilsbane : I am looking for my birth parents Born in Kingston General hospital on July 21st 1971 Was adopted right from birth
1479. Hrouse : Looking for birth parents or family
1480. Anna-LiseDalton : Looking for my biological sister Sierra Diana Dalton (birth name) who was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the year 2000.
1481. Jamrunr : I was born in Oakville Traffalgar Hospital. The Children’s aid society was involved in adoption My birth name was John Francis Delanie My name now is James Richard Edwards
1482. Rarah : I am searching for a baby boy given the birth name Christopher McLennan. He was born at Mississauga Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. I believe the adoption was handled by the Children’s Aid Society. I have never stopped thinking about my sweet nephew & want to know that he is happy & healthy. I don’t want to interfere with his life but if he would like to meet me & his cousin I would love to talk to him about that. The birth mother is not in good health & unable to search for him & has not considered searching. Judith McLennan
1483. Gracieanna123 : I think my name was going to be gratsian or something but now my name is Gracieanna and I am 13 and I think my birth moms name starts with an l but my adoptive mom would not tell me. So I hope my birth parents see this:)
1484. TroyH33 : Troy Tiny Township Simcoe County Ontario
1485. Cjbishop747 : Carrie Bishop please contacts
