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Adult adoptees, descendants of deceased adoptees, birth parents, and birth family members can access Alberta adoption records.
Amendments to legislation will improve access to adoption information for adult adoptees, birth parents and siblings.
Read more about time sensitive changes that could affect adult adoptees and birth parents (PDF, 32 KB).
Read more about changes to the Post Adoption Registry.
The Post Adoption Registry keeps sealed adoption records for all adoptions in Alberta.
If you were born in Alberta and adopted in another province, see the Adoption records from outside Alberta section.
Adoption records can include a variety of different documents containing identifying and non-identifying information.
Examples of identifying information include:
Examples of non-identifying information include:
Only adult adoptees and adoptive parents are able to request a certified copy of the Adoption Order.
An order includes:
A certified copy of an Adoption Order may be required for legal purposes. The Post Adoption Registry can request this from the court house on your behalf. To request a certified copy of the Adoption Order, please submit a written request along with 2 pieces of identification, one of which is photo identification.
Birth parents of minor adoptees are able to request a non-identifying profile.
An adoption profile is non-identifying information regarding the child and the adoptive family that was gathered at the time of adoption.
Information provided regarding the child may include:
Information provided regarding the adoptive parent(s) may include:
You can access information from adoption records if you are:
Once an adopted person turns 18 years of age, they can request a copy of their identifying information found in adoption records, which includes:
Request for Release of Adoption Information (PDF, 275 KB)
You can also request this form by calling our office.
A birth parent can request the following information once the adopted person is 18 years and 6 months of age or older:
Request for Release of Adoption Information (PDF, 275 KB)
You can also request this form by calling our office.
A birth parent can also request a non-identifying profile of the adoptive parents by submitting a written request to our office, along with 2 pieces of identification, one of which is photo identification.
Adoptive parents can request the following:
To request an Adoption Order, please submit a written request to our office, along with 2 pieces of identification, one of which is photo identification.
Once an adopted person is 18 years and 6 month of are or older, an adult birth sibling of an adopted person can request the following:
Request for Release of Adoption Information (PDF, 275 KB)
A birth certificate or other document which names your parent must be submitted with the Request for Release of Adoption Information.
Adult children or grandchildren of a deceased adopted person (descendant) may apply to get a copy of identifying adoption records, which includes:
Request for Release of Adoption Information (PDF, 275 KB)
You can also request this form by calling our office.
Along with 2 pieces of ID, a death certificate, obituary notice or funeral card must be submitted with the Request for Release of Adoption Information (PDF, 275 KB).
You can also request this form by calling our office.
Once an adopted person is 18 years and 6 months of age or older, an adult birth family member of a deceased birth parent can request the following:
Request for Release of Adoption Information (PDF, 275 KB)
You can also request this form by calling our office.
Along with two pieces of ID, a death certificate, obituary notice or funeral card must be submitted with the Request for Release of Adoption Information (PDF, 275 KB)
PDF form issues
Fillable PDF forms do not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. To fill in and save the form:
Request for Release of Adoption Information (PDF, 275 KB)
You can also request this form by calling our office.
A photocopy of 2 pieces of identification must be provided, one of which must be photo identification. If you are not sure whether your ID meets requirements, contact our office.
You can mail, email or fax the form and photocopies of your identification.
Address:
Post Adoption Registry
10th Floor, Sterling Place
9940 106 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2N2
Fax: 780‑427‑2048
Email: [email protected]
Each province keeps its own adoption records. Adults born in Alberta and adopted in another province should connect with the province where their adoption was finalized.
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Quebec
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia – Adoption records in Nova Scotia will become open on May 1, 2022.
Prince Edward Island
Yukon
Northwest Territories
Connect with the Post Adoption Registry:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-6387
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Post Adoption Registry
10th Floor, Sterling Place
9940 106 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2N2
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