How Long Does an Adoption Take to Finalize in Ontario?

There is no single timeline, but Ontario says the adoption process can take at least a year and sometimes longer. In a public adoption, placement is followed by an adjustment period of at least six months before the court finalizes the adoption.

In a public adoption, you complete a SAFE homestudy, which involves four to six interviews over about four to six months. Matching after approval typically takes six months to two years or longer. Before the hearing, a Director must file a statement that generally requires the child to have lived with you for at least six months, or two years for a placement that a society or licensee did not make. For stepparent and relative adoptions, the statement and six-month rule apply only if the child did not live in Canada before placement, though the court may order that they apply.

Delays can come from consents. A person who consented can withdraw in writing within 21 days. If a consent is dispensed with, no order can be made until the appeal period has passed or any appeal is decided. A lawyer can confirm what applies to you.