Searching in Ontario, Canada

Registry Adoptions and Operational Services Ministry of Community and Social Services Adoption Information Unit 2 Floor 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 database 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. Counseling Mandatory prior to the disclosure of identifying information. Most counseling is provided by the Children's Aid Society, or, if parties are outside Ontario, by other counseling agencies. Counseling is usually available within one to two months if a match is made. Counseling is also available by telephone. There are mail-out counseling packages also available. Warmest Regards, Colleen Buckner **Join our on-line search and support chatroom at adoption.com. Click on Search and Reunion Hosted ChatroomӔ. Visit with host Sabra on Wednesday nights at 7:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time and host Colleen on Thursday nights at 6:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time.