Adoption Information

What happens to a child's birth record in Vital Statistics when the child is adopted? 

  • When a child is born in Alberta, the birth (biological) mother completes a Registration of Birth showing herself as the mother of her child
     
  • When the child is adopted, a new Registration of Birth is completed for the child listing the adoptive parent as the parents of the child
     
  • The original Registration of Birth that was completed by the birth mother is removed from the general records and sealed in a vault

  • The new Registration of Birth completed by the adoptive parents is placed in the general records and is used to create official birth documents

Can I as an adopted child obtain my original Alberta Registration of Birth?

No. No one may apply for the original birth record once the child has been placed for adoption. The only birth record available is the one showing the adoptive information.

The one exception is when a court order from the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench (external site) directs Vital Statistics to release the original birth record.

Can I order from Vital Statistics the birth records of persons who were family members before the adoption went through?

Adoption information is highly confidential. The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) does not affect the continued confidentiality of records under the Vital Statistics Act.

Adoption orders and birth records in the Vital Statistics office containing original biological information are sealed records:

  • Adopted persons are not permitted to apply for any Vital Statistics records of their biological parents

  • Adopted persons are not permitted to apply for any Vital Statistics records of anyone who was a relative before the adoption
     
  • Biological parents are not permitted to apply for their natural child's birth record once the child has been placed for adoption

  • Persons who have been adopted, and those who have placed their child for adoption, are not considered related for Vital Statistics' eligibility purposes 

How can I find out anything about my original birth records? 

If you were adopted in Alberta, the best place to begin your search is with the Alberta Post Adoption Registry within the department of Alberta Children's Services. The Post Adoption Registry provides non-identifying background information and facilitates a reunion when two or more parties have voluntarily registered for contact. There is no charge for their services.

Access the Alberta Children's Services website.

E-mail: postadoption.registry@gov.ab.ca

If you were adopted outside Alberta, contact the province/territory where the adoption took place for more information. That province/territory is the adoption record holder. Each has their own laws about the release of adoption information.