Request access to information about an adoption

An adopted person, birth parent, birth sibling and other relatives can request access to information about an adoption.

There are 2 types of information you can request: non-identifying and identifying.

Criteria for accessing information

Party to an adoption What information you can request
Adoptive parents An adoptive parent can request access to non-identifying information on behalf of an adopted person who is 18 or younger. Or they can request access to non-identifying information with the consent of the adopted person who is 19 or older.

They can also request access to information from the other parties to an adoption in situations that affect the health, safety or wellbeing of an adopted person who is 18 or younger.
Birth siblings A birth sibling who is 19 or older and is the biological brother or sister of an adopted person can request access to non-identifying information about the adopted person.

A birth sibling can only request identifying information if the adopted person hasn’t filed a disclosure veto for the birth parent they share and they meet 1 of the following criteria:
  • the birth parent you share with the adopted person gives written permission for you to access the information
  • you’re unable to locate the birth parent you share with the adopted person and you can show proof that you tried to find them to get their written permission
  • the birth parent you share with the adopted person is deceased
  • you’re a Former Child in Permanent Care in Nova Scotia
Relative of a birth parent A relative of a birth parent can request access to non-identifying information about an adoption if they meet 1 of the following criteria:
  • the birth parent you are related to gives written permission for you to get the information
  • you’re unable to locate the birth parent you’re related to and you can show proof that you tried to find them to get their written permission
A relative of a birth parent can only request identifying information if the birth parent you’re related to is deceased. If the adopted person has filed a disclosure veto, the adopted person’s identifying information will not be released.
Relative of an adopted person A relative of an adopted person can request access to non-identifying information about an adoption if they meet 1 of the following criteria:
  • the adopted person you’re related to gives written permission for you to get the information
  • you’re unable to locate the adopted person you’re related to and you can show proof that you tried to find them to get their written permission
A relative of an adopted person can only request identifying information if the adopted person you’re related to is deceased.

Requesting access to information on behalf of someone else

You can request access to information on behalf of someone who doesn’t have capacity under Adult Capacity Decision-making Act (PDF). You need to provide information about yourself and the person you’re filing for. You need to include a copy of the court order granted under the act as proof of consent to Adult Capacity Decision-making Act as a representative. You also need to include 1 piece of government-issued identification for yourself.

Priority request for information in urgent situations

Your request for information may get prioritized if there’s an urgent situation that affects the health, safety or wellbeing of an adopted person, birth parent or birth sibling. If your request is for an urgent medical or psychiatric situation, you need to complete a Priority Request for Compelling Circumstances Form and have it signed by a physician.

Search and reunion services

When you request access to information about an adoption, you can request a search for the adopted person and other parties to an adoption. You can also request reunion support to help you reunite (connect) with the adopted person and other parties to an adoption.

Help with your request

The Disclosure Program can help you with your request and provide more information about how open adoption records work. The program also provides an option for you to speak with someone who identifies as African Nova Scotian or Indigenous.

Who can use this form

If you’re an adopted person (who is now 19 or older) or a birth parent, you can request access to information about the other person.

Birth siblings and other relatives can request access to information about an adoption, but they can only request information that they meet the criteria to access.

You need to submit a separate access request for each adoption record (you can't complete the form for more than 1 person).

What you need to do

  1. Review detailed guidance in the Disclosure Program - Adoption Records Guide.
  2. Complete the Priority Request for Compelling Circumstances Form if you have a priority request for information because of an urgent medical or psychiatric situation.
  3. Complete the form online.
  4. Check the form for details on all required supporting documents.
  5. Submit your completed form and supporting documents.

How long it takes

It should take 1 to 2 months for the Disclosure Program to complete an initial review of your request. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your form hasn’t been filled in correctly. The time required to provide access to the requested information varies depending on the information requested and privacy options.

Cost

There is no cost to request access to information about an adoption.

Before you start

Make sure you have:

  • 2 pieces of government-issued identification (like a driver’s licence, Secure Certificate of Indian Status, passport or NEXUS card); one piece of identification needs to include your photo
  • Priority Request for Compelling Circumstances Form signed by a physician, if applicable

Online

When you request information about an adoption online you need to upload any supporting documents in DOCX, PDF or JPEG format.

Start now

Other ways to submit the form

You can use the Request for Adoption Information, Supports and Services Form (PDF 143 kB) if you're unable to request access to information online. Send your completed form and supporting documents by mail or email to the Disclosure Program.

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