Opening Adoption Records: National Status Report

“Open Adoption Records” does not mean open adoption, nor does it mean that records are open to the public. It means, instead, that separated natural family members may obtain each other’s identifying information, and both the original and amended birth records. Identifying information regarding people who have adopted children is not released.

In Canada, “Open Records” means that adopted persons and natural parents have the right to receive identifying information on the family members they lost to adoption. Adopted people receive a copy of their original birth registration in their original name (including the names of any natural parents on record) and a copy of their adoption order. Natural parents receive the original and amended birth registrations and the adoption court order containing their child’s adoptive name. Names of adoptive parents are not released.

Open Records Campaigns — Current Issues

• NEW : Ontario Records Open 2009
• NEW: Yukon open adoption records
• NEW: “Manitoba considering opening up all adoption records going back to 1925″ (Canadian Press News Article, June 15, 2009)
• Alberta Open Records Issue: Adoptive Parents Filing Vetoes

Open Records Campaigns — Canadian Legislation Opening Records

• Open Records Legislation in Alberta (2003)
• Ontario’s Bill 12 (2007) (PDF)
• Newfoundland and Labrador Government News Release (2003)
• Ontario Government News Release of November 14, 2007, announcing Disclosure Veto
• Ontario Government News Release (November 1, 2005) Announcing Open Records

Articles about Open Records

• Facts About Open Records
• “How Adoption in America Grew Secret” by Elizabeth Samuels
• “Tools for Open Records Activism: Model Open Records Legisl7ation”