Adoption provides children with a lifelong family!
Adoption is an opportunity and a privilege for couples and individuals to create or add to a family for the first, second or third time!

Adoption Basics focuses on the procedural steps of adoption, but acknowledges that adoption is more than a process of documentation. It is a unique experience that can be life altering. You will have numerous questions and concerns, many of which will be briefly addressed in this website. However, because of the scope and variety of circumstances of children and applicants, it is more effective to discuss the information in a private consultation.

There are three primary sources of adoption service in Ontario and each one is regulated through clearly defined governmental laws and regulatory bodies. All adoption services focus on 'finding a family for a child'. Certain factors (eg. age and health of child desired) will determine, in part, the particular adoption service that adoptive applicants may prefer to work with. Adoption Basics advises that you initially consider all three services.

An Adoption Homestudy (known as S.A.F.E.) and accompanying Training (known as P.R.I.D.E.) are major steps that are generally completed before you register with a specific Adoption placement service. To learn more, review the above links and/or contact Arlene.

Children's Aid Societies in Ontario seek adoptive families for children who range in age from infancy through school age. Adoption placements are regulated under Ontario's Child and Family Services Act, 1990. There is no fee for the agency's services. Call your local CAS to learn more.

For a list of agencies, please visit www.oacas.org.

Birth parents in Ontario voluntarily choose to place a child for adoption, and often seek a prospective adoptive family prior to the birth of the child. The adoption is arranged through an Adoption Licensee in a carefully managed process that is regulated under Ontario's Child and Family Services Act, 1990. The Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services reviews the fees for services charged to adoptive applicants.

Review the lists of Licensed Adoption Agencies and Individual Licensees.

Adoption of children living outside of Canada is managed under two sets of legislation: Ontario's Child and Family Services Act,1990 and Ontario's Intercountry Adoption Act, 1998. The Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services reviews the fees for services charged to adoptive applicants.

Applicants need to complete a homestudy, training, register with an Ontario Licensed International Adoption Agency, and receive the approval of the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services. The Licensed Agency works with the adoption authority in the particular country of choice to facilitate an adoption.

For a list of International Adoption Licensees, please click here.

General Steps:

Adoption Basics recommends that you:

• Consider ALL adoption options; ie, domestic (private and CAS) and international. If you are focused on international adoption, it can be helpful to explore more than one culture or country because countries periodically change their requirements and programs.
• Review current adoption literature, and be sure that it applies to Ontario residents. For a list of reading sources.
• Documentation is a necessary part of the adoption process and requires patience, but it is quite manageable.
• Discuss your plan with family, close friends, and adoption professionals.
• Talk with as many adoptive families and adoptees as possible.

Specific Steps:

• Review the information posted by the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services. This governmental body plays an essential role in reviewing applicants' documentation and in setting adoption standards for residents of Ontario.
• Attend an Adoption Information presentation. See events listed on Adoption Basics and/or on AdoptOntario.
• For a more in-depth discussion of your particular circumstances and/or questions about adoption, contact Arlene at Adoption Basics.

On This Page:

Services in Ontario

Public Adoption

Private Adoption

International Adoption

Recommended Steps

"Adoption is an opportunity and a privilege for couples and individuals to create or add to a family for the first, second or third time!"

"Children of all ages become legally available for adoption. Each child has a unique racial/ethnic background, with his/her own life experiences to be valued and nurtured"