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SUMMARY OF ADOPTION LAWS IN CANADA

British Columbia:(OPEN) for all adoptions prior to November 4, 1996. All adoption on or after November 4, 1996 will be open with no non-disclosure veto

adult adoptee may receive full birthname, and the full name of their birthmother and birthfather*
birthparents may receive full adopted name*
vetoes for non-disclosure and a no-contact veto and a fine of $10,000 or jail if violated
will not release identifying information after death**
those who may register are adult adoptees, biological mother and father, adoptive parents, and siblings, and descendants, if the adoptee is deceased
non-identifying information available
passive registry maintained, and search service provided
fees for all services

* provided a non-disclosure veto has not been issued
** test case authorized disclosure of deceased birthfather's name

to view the British Columbia Adoption law

Alberta: (OPEN) for all adoptions effective November 1, 2004

adult adoptee* may receive full birthname, and full name of birthmother and birthfather
birthparents may receive full adopted name
there is a disclosure veto but no penalty for adoption prior to 2005, for adoptions after 2005 there is are no disclosure vetoes
will release identifying information after death, and any veto no longer in effect
those who may register are adult adoptee, biological mother and father, sibling, adoptive parent, or descendant, if the adoptee is deceased
adoptive parent's can veto disclosure of identifying information to the adoptee, even if an adult, if the adoptee does not know they are adopted, or if releasing information is deemed to be detrimental to the adoptee. To read more about this type of veto go here
non-identifying information may be given, upon application, to an adopted person or the adopted person's 1) biological mother, 2) biological father, 3) sibling, 4) adopting parent, or 5) descendant, if the adopted person is deceased. Any non-identifying information about one or more of those persons may be released.

* adoptees age 16 and older may receive identifying information if they are living independently from their guardian. If the adoptee is aboriginal identifying information is available at any age.

Request for Release of Adoption Information form to apply

to view changes to the Post-adoption Disclosure

Saskatchewan: (OPEN for all adoption records effective January 1, 2017)

adult adoptee may receive their original birth registration which will include their full birthname, the full name of their birthmother and birthfather (if shown)
birthparents may obtain a copy of the adoptee's birth registration which will include the adoptee's full adopted name
The release of birth registration information will be subject to any vetoes by the adoptee or the birthparent
The adult child of a deceased adult adoptee, or the adult child of a deceased birth parent whose child was placed for adoption may apply for the birth registration of the deceased adult adoptee or the deceased birth parent
those who may register are adult adoptee, birth parent, adoptive parent, siblings, adult child of a deceased adult adoptee, the adult child of a deceased birthparent whose child was placed for adoption, or an extended family member of an adult adoptee or birth parent
there are no fees for services

View government publication here

Manitoba: (OPEN for all adoption records effective June 15, 2015)

Adult adoptees born and adopted in Manitoba may apply for a copy of his or her pre-adoption birth registration. (This will include the birthmother's full name, and also the name of the birthfather, if given)
Adult adoptees born in Manitoba but adopted outside of Manitoba may apply for a copy of his or her pre-adoption birth registration. (This will include the birthmother's full name, and also the name of the birthfather, if given)
The birthparent of an adult adoptee born in Manitoba and adopted in Manitoba may apply for a copy of (a) the adoptee's pre-adoption birth registration, and/or (b) the substituted registration of birth.
The birthparent of an adult adoptee born in Manitoba but adopted outside Manitoba may apply for a copy of (a) the adoptee's pre-adoption birth registration and/or (b) the substituted registration of birth.
If an aboriginal person was born in Manitoba and subsequently adopted, he or she may apply for the following to be given to a person, government or organization for the purpose of an application by the aboriginal person for a benefit or service that is provided to aboriginal persons: (a) a copy of his or her pre-adoption birth registration,(b) identifying information respecting his or her birth parents, (c) any other identifying or non-identifying information that the director considers relevant. Who may apply? An application by an aboriginal person may be made (a) by the person, if an adult, or (b) if the person is a child, by his or her adoptive parent or guardian.
An adult adoptee who was not born in Manitoba but was adopted under this Act or the former Act may apply for a summary of birth information, including identifying information, that is set out in the pre-adoption birth registration if this document is in the director's records. If a veto has been filed any identifying information will be removed.
The following parties may apply for a certified copy of the adoption order, (a) an adult adoptee who was born in Manitoba and adopted in Manitoba, (b) an adult adoptee who was not born in Manitoba but was adopted in Manitoba, (c) an adoptive parent.
A disclosure veto may be made by (a) an adoptee who is 16 years of age or older, or (b) by a parent named on a pre-adoption birth registration.
If a disclosure veto has been filed only non-identifying information may be given.
A person who files a disclosure veto may cancel the veto at any time.
Unless cancelled, a disclosure veto terminates one year after the death of the person who filed the veto.
If a contact veto has been filed, identifying information may be given, or identifying information in the form requested in a contact preference.
A contact veto may be cancelled at any time by the person who filed the veto.
Searches will be done for adult adoptees to locate a birth mother, birth father, or adult birth siblings. Birth parents or siblings may request a search for adult adoptees. Adoptive parents or guardians may also request a search for an adopted childs birth mother, birth father, and adult birth siblings.
If an adoptee has died, his or her adoptive parents, adult adoptive siblings and adult children may register to request a search to locate the adoptee's birthmother, birth father, and adult birth siblings.
If a birthparent is over 100 yrs old or is deceased and has been for over one year, the adoptee may receive their name.
Search by grandparents. If an adoptee's birth parent has died and the adoptee is 18 years of age or older, a parent of the deceased birth parent may request a search to locate the adoptee.
There is no fee for receiving non-identifying information or to request a search.

to view the Manitoba Adoption law

Ontario: (OPEN for all adoptions effective June 1, 2009)

adult adoptees may receive their full name at birth and the names of their birthmother and birthfather* **
birthparents may receive the adopted name* **
there is a disclosure veto***
a "preferred manner of contact" notice or a no-contact veto with $50,000 fine for violation may be filed
non-identifying information will be available to adult adoptees, birth parents, adult birth siblings, siblings of birth parents, adoptive parents, and the adult children of a deceased adoptee****
identifying information will be released after death
those who may register on the adoption disclosure registry (passive) are adult adoptees, birth parents, adult birthsiblings, and birth grandparents

* unless there is a disclosure veto registered, or if the birthfather did not sign the Birth Registration, even though named by birthmother, his name will not be disclosed
** if the adoptee is born outside of Ontario, but adopted in Ontario they cannot received their birth registration nor can the birthparent obtain the adoptee's adopted name
*** disclosure vetoes are in place until removed by the initiator, or by death, unless that death occurred outside Ontario and is not registered in Ontario, it may remain forever
**** individuals will receive photocopies of the original forms, rather than a summarized version with identifying information removed.

to view the Ontario Adoption law

Quebec: (OPEN June 16, 2018, ammended June 8, 2024 removing vetoes)

adult adoptee may receive their birthname.
adult adoptees may receive the full name of their birthmother and birthfather. Any veto is only effective until the adoptee reaches the age of majority.
birthparents do not have the right to receive the adopted name of their child unless there was no non-disclosure veto filed. An adoptee, who was adopted prior to June 16, 2018, has had an automatic non-disclosure veto placed by the government on their file and the adoptee must file a form requesting this veto be removed before any identifying information will be released to the birth parent. If adopted June 16, 2018 or later, the adoptee may place a non-disclosure veto.
identifying information will be released to the adoptee one year after the death of their birth parent.
siblings may request identifying information about another sibling and will be given this information provided the other sibling has also registered for contact.
those who may register are adult adoptee, birthparents, siblings

to view the Quebec Adoption law

New Brunswick: (OPEN April 1, 2018)

adult adoptee, 18 yrs of age, may apply for access to copies of the statement of original registration of birth and the adoption order
birthparents may apply for access to copies of the statement of original registration of birth and the adoption order
non-identifying information is available to adoptees, adoptive parents and birth parents
disclosure vetoes or contact preferences may be filed
a disclosure veto may be modified or cancelled at any time by the person who filed it, or it expires one year after their death
there are no fees for this service

to view the New Brunswick Adoption law (sections 91-94)

Nova Scotia: (OPEN May 1, 2022)

adult adoptee, 19 yrs of age, may receive their birthname

birthparents may receive the adopted name of their child if born in Nova Scotia, and is 20 years old.

Vetoes that were put on file under the previous law are not longer valid. You must register and place a new disclosure veto under the new Act.

non-identifying information is available to adoptees, adoptive parents and birth relatives

Where the adopted person has died, a relative of the adopted person may receive the adopted person's birth name, the name of the birth parent of the adopted person. Where there are adopted birth siblings of an adopted person, the birthnames of those persons, or where there are adopted birth siblings of an adopted person, the adopted names of those persons.

Where the birth parent of an adopted person has died, a relative of the birth parent may receive the adoptive name of the adoptive person whose birth parent is deceased.

search services are provided

those who may register on the Post Adoption Disclosure Register are adult adoptees (19 yrs of age), birthparents, and siblings

to view the Nova Scotia Adoption law

Prince Edward Island: (OPEN January 31, 2020)

adult adoptee may receive their birthname and the names of their birthmother and birthfather

birthparents may receive adopted name of adoptee

active search service on behalf of adult adoptees for birthparents and sibling, and on behalf of birthparents for adoptee

there can be disclosure vetoes placed for adoptions prior to January 31, 2020, but all non-disclosure vetoes will be removed on January 31, 2021 and contact preferences only will apply

will release identifying information one year after death

those who may register are adult adoptee, birthparents, aunts, uncles, adoptive parents, siblings

to view the Prince Edward Island Adoption law

Newfoundland and Labrador: (OPEN) (effective April 30, 2003)

adult adoptee may receive their full birthname, and full name of birthmother and birthfather*

birthparents may receive full adopted name*

there is a non-disclosure veto and a no-contact declaration, and penalties

will release identifying information after death**

those who may register are adult adoptee, birthparents, grand parents, grandchildren, siblings, and other relatives

* no identifying information will be released if a non-disclosure veto has been filed
** after the death of an adopted person an adult son, daughter, grandchild, or the child's surviving parent may request a search for birth parent, grandparent, adult birth or adopted sibling or relative of the deceased
to view the Newfoundland and Labrador Adoption law

Northwest Territories: (CLOSED)

adult adoptee may receive their full birthname

birthparents may not receive adopted name

a passive registry and also search services upon request

there are no vetoes

those who may register are adult adoptee, siblings, birthparents, adoptive parents, grandparents, other relatives i.e. aunt, uncle, etc.

to apply for information

Nunavut: (CLOSED)

adult adoptee may receive their full birthname

birthparents may not receive adopted name

a passive registry and also search services upon request

there are no vetoes

those who may register are adult adoptee, siblings, birthparents, adoptive parents, grandparents, other relatives i.e. aunt, uncle, etc.

to apply for informationThis law is based on the Northwest Territories Adoption law

Yukon: (OPEN) effective early 2009

adult adoptee (19 yrs old) may receive their original birth registration and the adoption order showing their birthparent's names*

birth parent of an adoptee 19 yrs. of age or older may receive adoptee's original birth registration with any change of name, the birth registration substituted for the adopted person'a original birth registration, and the adoption order

may request a search for grandparents and siblings when adoptee is deceased

an adopted person 18 yrs of age may place a disclosure veto and /or a no-contact veto

a disclosure veto remains in effect for two years after death

a disclosure registry and search services are available

first violation penalty $10,000 and/or up to one year in prison, second violation $20,000 and/or two years in prison

searches on behalf of adult children and grandchildren of a deceased adopted parent for that parent's birthfamily

* will not be given if disclosure veto in effect, or the conditions of a no-contact declaration has not been agreed upon.
to view the Yukon Adoption law

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