Resources

Birth Father Registry

The Birth Father Registry is a service specifically for men whose children are or may become part of an adoption process.

When a birth father places his name on the registry, it allows him to receive written notice of a proposed placement and gives him a chance to be involved early in the planning for a child.

The decision to register rests with the birth father. A birth father from out of province may register, but he will only receive notice if the adoption is taking place in British Columbia, as no other jurisdiction has a requirement to search the registry. In British Columbia, the registry must be searched in all ministry relinquishment, agency adoptions and direct placement adoptions with the exception of children in care.

The birth father may register any time before the child's birth and up to 150 days after the date that the child was placed for adoption. He must ensure that his information is correct and provide the registry with any change of address. Only persons with a legitimate reason for access --- a social worker, lawyer, extra-provincial agency, or prospective adoptive parents in a direct placement --- may request a search of the registry. A search form can be obtained from the Birth Father Registry by calling 250 387-3660.

The following persons may apply to request a search of the birth fathers' registry:

  1. a social worker
  2. an extra-provincial agency
  3. a person entitled to practice law under the Legal Profession Act who represents a party to the adoption
  4. a prospective adoptive parent in a direct placement who has given notice of intent to receive a child into his or her home under section 8(1) of the Act.

There is no fee to register. Download the Birth Father Registry Application Form.

View the Birth Father Registry Brochure.

For more information? Please Contact;

Birth Father Registry
Adoption Services
Permanency for Children and Youth Unit
Ministry of Children and Family Development
PO BOX 9705, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC, V8W 9S1