For adoptees and birth parents searching in Ontario

Welcome to the Search and Reunion Message Board! Here is some information for searching in Ontario, Canada. I hope you find the information helpful in your search: General Searching Information for Adoptees born in Canada and taken to the USA. If anyone was born in Canada and adopted by American adoptive parents and taken to the United States, contact the US Dept. of Immigration and obtain a copy of your Entry Visa. This form should show your full birthname. This is required for all persons taking up permanent residence in the U.S. Write your MPP: The Honourable John Baird Minister of Community and Social Services 6th Floor, Hepburn Block 80 Grovesnor St. Toronto, Ontario M7A 1E9 tel: 416-325-5225 fax: 416-325-5221 Registry Adoptions and Operational Services Ministry of Community and Social Services Adoption Information Unit 2 Bloor St. West, 24th Floor Toronto, Ontario Canada, M4W 3H8 Adoption Disclosure Register Clerk: (416) 327-4730 International Adoptions: (416) 327-4739 Relative Adoptions: (416) 327-4740 Private Adoptions: (416) 327-4741 Non-Identifying Information If the adoption was arranged by an office of the Ontario Children's Aid Society then the Society would have the record and would respond to the request. The length of time for a response can vary from six months to two years. If the adoption was handled privately then the information is prepared by the ministry. For adoptions prior to June 1979, however, there is virtually no non-identifying information available. Unless the applicant knows which agency is involved and can make a direct inquiry, there can be a longer wait while the ministry determines and informs the applicant where to request information. For most adoptions prior to the mid 1960s the adoption order will contain the adopted person's given name(s) and surname at birth. For many orders made after the mid 1960's the adopted person's surname at birth is not shown, just the first initial of the surname followed by a birth registration number. The order shows the court in which the order was granted, the date it was granted and the name of the judge. It also shows the names of the adoptive parents. Adoption orders DO NOT contain the names of the birth parents(s) or any information about them. Passive Registry Passive Register for Birth Relatives (began in 1979). Adoptees, birth parents, birth siblings and birth grandparents can register. An initial check of the computerized registry is made for a corresponding applicant. Parties are informed if a match is made. If no match appears immediately, the application is processed in turn according to date of receipt. It can take up to one year to fully process the application and enter the correct data. The applicant remains in the data base until a match is made or requests that his or her name be removed. Active Search Active searches can be done on behalf of Adult Adoptees. As of the fall of 2000, the average search takes from nine to twelve months. Counselling Mandatory prior to the disclosure of identifying information. Most counselling is provided by the Children's Aid Society, or, if parties are outside Ontario, by other counselling agencies. Counselling is usually available within one to two months if a match is made. Counselling is also available by telephone. There are mail-out counselling packages also available. [url]http://www.adoptionforums.com[/url] [url]http://www.adoptionchat.com[/url] [url]http://www.adoptionlists.com[/url] [url]http://www.adoption.com[/url] [url]http://www.adopting.org[/url] [url]http://www.adoptionregistry.com[/url]