British Columbia Adoption Records

British Columbia was the first province in Canada to have open adoption records, meaning that family members separated by adoption can obtain the identifying information.

An adoptee can obtain his or her original Certificate of Live Birth/Birth Registration, with his or her original name and the names of his/her natural parents. The natural parent can obtain a copy of the birth registration and adoption court order showing the adoptive name of the adoptee.

The following records are available for request in BC:

1.  Vital Statistics Adoption File which includes:

a)  Original Certificate of Live Birth/Birth Registration
This will include the name of the natural mother

b)  Adoption Order
This is the actual adoption order which will show the child’s adopted name

Click here for PDF form. More information is here on the Vital Statistics website.

2.  Hospital Records

Mothers can call the Medical Records department of the hospital in which the birth took place to obtain your hospital chart with respect to prenatal care, labour and delivery, birth, hospital stay, etc.    Mothers should also apply for their child’s hospital record from birth until Adoption Consents were signed.

Adoptees can also obtain their hospital chart with respect to their birth and post natal newborn care.

3.  Ministry of Children and Family Development Records

a)  Adoption File
Mothers can apply to the Province of BC, Ministry of Citizens Services, for Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) Adoption file.       http://www.gov.bc.ca/citz/iao/foi/submit/index.html

In filling out this form, request ALL information pertaining to the adoption, covering the time period from conception to present day. This will provide you with social workers notes, and all other relevant documents that you may have signed etc. and other non-identifying information.

b) Child Protection File
Mothers can apply for your Ministry of Children and Family Development Child Protection file.  In filling out this form ask for all information from your birth until the age of majority.  http://www.gov.bc.ca/citz/iao/foi/submit/index.html

Adoptees can also apply for your Ministry of Children and Family Development Child Protection file if you were in the care of the Province at any time. In filling out this form ask for all information from your birth until the age of majority.  http://www.gov.bc.ca/citz/iao/foi/submit/index.html

4.  Maternity Home Records

Mothers who resided in Maternity Homes may apply to the organization which ran the home for any records which may have survived:

For the Maywood Home for Unwed Mothers in Vancouver contact:
Salvation Army Archives, 26 Howden Road, Scarborough, Ontario M1R 3E4
Phone:   (416) 285-4344

Click here for information on British Columbia’s open records legislation.