Can Adoptees Get an Original Birth Registration in Ontario?

Many adoptees want to see the record of their birth as it was before the adoption, and to learn the names of the people who gave them life. If that is you, the first thing to know is that Ontario treats adoption records as open.

This article explains how an adopted adult asks for identifying information, what a disclosure veto and a no contact notice do, and what to do if the birth took place outside Ontario. The exact contents of any particular document are set out in the application materials, so confirm them there before you apply.

Who can ask, and what it costs

Ontario adoption records are open, and requesting information is free. Adopted people 18 or older can request identifying information.

Birth parents can also request identifying information, but only if the adopted person is 19 or older and the birth was registered in Ontario. That difference in age is worth knowing if you expect a birth parent may be searching for you.

How to apply

Applications are by mailed, signed forms only. Faxes, email and hand delivery are not accepted.

• Use the current forms from the Ontario government and read the instructions in full.
• Sign every place that asks for a signature.
• Send everything by mail and keep a copy for your records.
• Allow time for a response, and keep notes of when you applied.

Disclosure vetoes

A disclosure veto blocks release of identifying information. Adopted adults and birth parents can apply for one only if the adoption occurred before September 1, 2008.

So whether a veto could affect your request depends largely on when your adoption took place. If your adoption was on or after that date, a veto cannot be applied for in the same way. If it was earlier, a veto may be in place, and a lawyer can help you understand the effect on your situation.

No contact notices and contact preferences

Two other tools do not block release in the same way. A no contact notice allows release of identifying information, but the other party must agree not to contact you. A notice of contact preference states how you would like to be contacted but is not binding.

If you receive identifying information subject to a no contact notice, honouring your agreement matters. Think carefully before agreeing, and ask a lawyer if you are unsure what you are agreeing to.

Born elsewhere, medical needs and the register

Ontario holds no birth registration for children born elsewhere, so you may need to contact the province, territory or country of birth. Non-identifying information, such as the adoption date, the agency and the birth family's social or medical history, is a separate request.

If you want to connect with birth family by mutual choice, the Adoption Disclosure Register is a voluntary service for exchanging information with birth family members who also register. If a serious illness is the concern, a severe medical search can help locate a birth family member to share medical information, and it requires verification from a regulated health professional.

What to do next

• Confirm where you were born and where the adoption took place.
• Find the year of your adoption, since it affects whether a veto could apply.
• Complete and sign the mailed forms; do not use fax, email or hand delivery.
• Decide whether to register with the Adoption Disclosure Register.
• Consider your approach to contact and whether a notice of contact preference fits your wishes.
• Get legal advice if the records are unclear, foreign, or tied to a court dispute.

Frequently asked questions