- Relatives, extended family and community members can be considered, but approval by the society is needed for kinship service funding.
- For First Nations, Inuk or Métis children, customary care requires a band or community declaration.
- In court, evidence at a temporary care hearing is given by Form 14A affidavit, sworn or affirmed true.
- If you lack paperwork, explain why and offer other evidence of your relationship with the child.
When a Children's Aid Society asks you to show how you are connected to a child, it can feel like a test you did not prepare for. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and close family friends are often the people a child already trusts, yet the paperwork linking you to the child may be thin or missing.
This article explains what kinds of proof tend to help, what to do when you do not have documents, and how to keep your evidence organized. It is general information. What a particular society accepts can vary, so ask what it needs and confirm details with a lawyer if there is a court case.
Why the society asks
A society needs to know who is offering to care for a child and how the child knows them. Relatives, extended family or community members who care for a child in need of protection may be able to get kinship service funding, but they must be approved by the society to offer kinship service. What the society needs from you for that approval depends on your situation, so it is worth asking the worker directly.
Family friends, godparents and neighbours who have been part of a child's life may wonder whether they count. What counts for your situation depends on the facts, so it is worth confirming with the society and a lawyer.
Types of proof that usually help
There is no single list that fits every family. These are common examples of evidence people gather.
| Kind of proof | Examples | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Official records | Birth certificates, marriage certificates, name-change papers | A direct family link across generations |
| Everyday records | Photos, cards, messages, school or medical forms listing you | A real, ongoing relationship |
| Statements from others | Letters from relatives, teachers, faith or community leaders | How the child and family know you |
| Community connection | Band or community declaration, Elder or community letters | Cultural and community ties, for First Nations, Inuk or Métis children |
For First Nations, Inuk or Métis children, customary care requires a band or community declaration, a customary care agreement and a home meeting foster care licensing standards. If this is your situation, contact the band or community early, since the declaration may take time to obtain.
Building a link with birth records
Which documents the society wants to see can vary, so ask the worker what it needs. If you have records that show how you are related to the child, ask the worker whether they would help. If names changed through marriage, adoption or immigration, bring the papers that explain the change.
If a record has errors or is missing, start the request for a replacement now and tell the worker you have done so. Showing effort is helpful while you wait.
What if you do not have paperwork?
Many caregivers, especially those from families that have moved, been separated or come from outside Canada, do not have tidy documents. Tell the worker plainly what you do not have and why, then offer other ways to show the relationship.
- Written statements from people who know both you and the child, saying how they know you and for how long.
- Photos, messages and cards that show the history of your contact with the child.
- Names and contact details of people the worker can speak with.
- Records you can still get, such as a parent's identification or school records.
- A note of the steps you have taken to replace lost documents.
A temporary care and custody hearing happens only if the parent disputes the CAS's claims, and evidence at that hearing is given by Form 14A affidavit, sworn or affirmed true. An affidavit is a written statement that you swear or affirm is true, so be accurate and do not guess. A lawyer can help you prepare one.
Keep your evidence safe and private
Child protection hearings are closed to the public. Publishing identifying information about a child, parent, foster parent or family member is prohibited, and parents may not share child protection documents or post about the case online. Be careful about what you share publicly, and ask a lawyer who you may show case documents to.
If a court date is set, do not assume it can be moved. Adjournments are allowed only in exceptional circumstances and where in the child's best interests, by Form 14B motion. A missed hearing may proceed without the parent.
What to do next
- Ask the worker in writing exactly what the society needs from you to show your relationship.
- Collect birth, marriage and name-change records that connect you to the child.
- Gather photos, messages and letters that show your real relationship.
- Ask two or three people to write short, honest statements.
- Contact the band or community early if the child is First Nations, Inuk or Métis.
- Keep copies of everything and do not share case documents online.
- Speak to a family lawyer if court is involved or the society refuses to consider you.
Frequently asked questions
Can a family friend be considered a kinship caregiver?
Community members can be considered, as well as relatives and extended family. The society must approve you to offer kinship service if you want kinship service funding. How it treats your connection depends on the facts.
What if I cannot find the child's birth certificate?
Tell the worker and start a replacement request. Offer other evidence in the meantime, such as photos, messages and statements from people who know the family. A lawyer can advise if the missing document is holding things up.
Do I need an affidavit?
Not always. But where there is a court case and a contested temporary care hearing, evidence is given by Form 14A affidavit, sworn or affirmed true. Ask a lawyer whether one is needed in your case.
What proof applies for First Nations, Inuk or Métis children?
Customary care requires a band or community declaration, a customary care agreement and a home meeting foster care licensing standards. Contact the band or community as early as you can.
Sources
- Ontario Court of Justice – Child Protection: Going to Court — ontariocourts.ca
- Ontario Court of Justice – Child Protection — ontariocourts.ca
- Ontario.ca – Funding for caregivers of children in need of protection — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – Customary care — ontario.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
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