Resources to Help You Navigate Adoption and Post-Adoption

A Guide for Accessing Personal Records Related to Your Adoption

If you are looking to access personal files related to your adoption or any records related to your involvement in the child welfare system, you will have to make a request from the agencies that hold these records. Each province keeps its own records. That said, the process for accessing these records may look different for each jurisdiction. Please see the following steps for a breakdown of how to find and fill out applications to access your records.

  • Individuals born in one jurisdiction but adopted in another should connect with the jurisdiction where their adoption was finalized. For example, if you were taken from Alberta and placed with a family in Ontario, then you would access adoption records under the Government of Ontario.

  • In most jurisdictions, access to adoption records are under a Privacy Act or Freedom of Information Act. These legislation will contain all information concerning access to information.

  • A) A brief description of the record you would like to access. Please try and include information about dates, names, locations, etc. to enable a more thorough search.

    B) Your date of birth.

    C) A valid email address or mailing address in order to receive correspondence and documents once they have been processed.

    D) A fee, depending on the jurisdiction. Most jurisdictions will not charge a fee, but some may ask for a payment ranging from $5 to $25.

Access Information Related to Adoption Records by Province and Territory Here:

  • Alberta

    Alberta Post Adoption Registry and Post Guardianship services.

    View

  • British Columbia

    Accessing Records from the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency under the Adoption Act: How to file an application for service.

    View

  • Manitoba

    Manitoba Post-Adoption Services assists adult adoptees and their immediate birth family members with information and reunification services, as legislated by Manitoba’s Adoption Act.

    View

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

    Accessing Records Under the Adoption Act, 2013

    View

  • New Brunswick

    Post Adoption Disclosure Services.

    View

  • Northwest Territories

    Child and Family Services (Adoption) Department of Health and Social

    View

  • Nova Scotia

    Nova Scotia Adoption Information Act and information on disclosures.

    View

  • Nunavut

    Nunavut Department of Family Services: Information on Adoption

    View

  • Ontario

    Ontario Adoption Services and Support

    View

  • Prince Edward Island

    Prince Edward Island Post-Adoption Services

    View

  • Saskatchewan

    Saskatchewan Post-Adoption Services

    View

  • Québec

    Site officiel sur l'adoption internationale au Québec
    (Official website on International Adoption in Québec)

    Services Postadoption
    (Québec Post Adoption Services)

    View

  • Yukon

    Yukon Territory Adoption Records

    View