Ontario adoption records were opened effective June 1, 2009, pursuant to the new law called, Access to Adoption Records Act. This means adopted adults and birth parents are both given access to ‘identifying information’ from birth records and adoption orders. This new law gives adopted adults and birth parents more rights to information as well as privacy.

If you were adopted in Ontario, or your child was placed for adoption, information from the birth and adoption records can be found using ServiceOntario.

Getting information

If the adoption was registered in Ontario, both adopted adults and birth parents can apply for information from birth and adoption records.

This information is referred to as post-adoption birth information. It includes identifying information, such as the original name of an adopted adult or the name of a birth parent.

With post-adoption birth information, an adopted adult may be able to find out their original name. They may also find out the names of their birth parents. As well, birth parents may learn the name their child was given after he or she was adopted.

Protecting your privacy

Adopted adults and birth parents may also choose to protect the privacy of their post-adoption birth information. Adopted adults and birth parents can do the following:

1. File a ‘notice of contact preference’ to state how they would like to be contacted,
2. File a ‘no contact notice,’ if they do not want to be contacted, but are still willing to have their identifying information released, and
3. File a ‘disclosure veto’ if they want to prevent their identifying post-adoption birth information from being released. However, a ‘disclosure veto’ can only be filed if the adoption was finalized before September 1, 2008.

For more information about adoption records, visit ServiceOntario, or the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

A criminal record will affect child custody and adoption. To erase your criminal record, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.

								
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