Manage your adoption records

Keep your adoption records private

If you're an adopted person or a birth parent you can apply for a disclosure veto and statement to keep your records private. This right is included in the Child and Family Services Act.

What is a disclosure veto?

A disclosure veto stops the sharing of information from:

• a birth certificate; or
• related adoption records.

While a veto is in effect

The director of family and children’s services cannot share any information that identifies the person who filed the veto.

How long does a disclosure veto last?

Unless cancelled, a disclosure veto lasts until 2 years after the death of the person who filed the veto.

How to cancel a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration

You may cancel a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration at any time. Use this form to notify the director of family and children’s services in writing.

What non-identifying information can you include?

When filing a disclosure veto, you may also include:

• the reasons you do not want to disclose identifying information;
• a brief summary about the medical and social history of the birth parents or their families; and
• any other relevant non-identifying information.

This information is kept with your disclosure veto. If someone applies for a copy of your record, they'll be:

• told about the veto; and
• given the non-identifying  information.

File a no-contact declaration

You can file a no-contact declaration and statement if you're:

• an adopted person who does not want to be contacted by your birth parents; or
• you're a birth parent who does not want to be contacted by your child.

This form:

• allows us to release information; and
• prohibits any contact with you.

Ask for a record about a person who has filed a no-contact declaration

You must file a statutory declaration and undertaking if you're:

• an adopted person asking for your birth certificate and your birth parent has filed a no-contact declaration; or
• you're a birth parent asking for your adopted child's birth certificate and your adopted child has filed a no-contact declaration.

The statutory declaration promises you will not contact the person after you receive a copy of the birth certificate.