What services does the Adoption Reunion Registry (ARR) provide?
The Adoption Reunion Registry has been in operation since 1991. Since the 1920s, there have been over 40,000 adoptions in the province of British Columbia. If you were involved in one of those adoptions you may access our services.
We maintain a Passive Registry, undertake searches, and provide intermediary counseling and support.
What if the adoption took place outside of BC?
Each province has separate legislation pertaining to adoption. You will need to contact the province where the adoption was finalized. The contact numbers are as follows:
| Alberta | 780 427-6387 |
| Manitoba | 204 945-6964 |
| New Brunswick | 506 453-2949 |
| Newfoundland | 709 752-4406 |
| NWT | 867 8737991 |
| Nova Scotia | 902 424-2755 |
| Ontario | 416 327-4730 |
| PEI | 902 368-6139 |
| Quebec | 514 932-7161 |
| Saskatchewan | 1 800 667-7539 |
| Yukon | 867 667-3002 |
What if the adopted person is under 19?
When the adopted person is under 19 years of age, contact the Post Adoption Openness Registry.
Registration with the ARR is $25. This includes the Passive Registry and the services of a reunion consultant/counselor.
Conducting a search is an additional $250. This is a flat fee, regardless of how long or difficult the search is. This fee does not include the cost of obtaining documents from Vital Statistics. Each subsequent search is $180.
Fee waivers are available to those who qualify.
What security precautions are taken if I pay fees by credit card?
Your credit card information will be destroyed as soon as the fee transaction is complete. Credit card numbers and details are not kept on file. You will need to provide credit card information again if/when you request further services that require fee payment.
Can I provide fee payment on behalf of a friend/relative who is applying to AAR?
AAR fees may be paid by someone on behalf of the applicant providing the applicant is clearly identified. To save confusion, it is advisable to talk with someone at the AAR office before submitting fees for another person.
How long will the search take?
Once the ARR receives a copy of the adoption file, the file is assigned to a reunion consultant.
Priority is given to searches when either the applicant or the person you are looking for is over 70 years old, or if there is a medical urgency (a physician's note is required, stating the specific reason for the urgency).
The length of time before you receive an answer about the other person's willingness to have contact can vary considerably - some people know right away that reunion is what they want (or definitely don't want), others wish to take some time to think about reunion and talk it over with family. The pace of contact is left up to you and the other person.
Under the 1996 Adoption Act, persons whose identifying information appears on original adoption documents can place a Disclosure Veto or No-contact Declaration with Vital Statistics. Disclosure Vetoes prevent the release of identifying information about the person who files the veto. A No-contact Declaration allows the release of identifying information, as long as the person accessing the information signs a legal undertaking not to contact the person. For more information contact Vital Statistics.
Can I still search if there is a veto?
You can only search for those who have not placed a veto. The adopted adult may still be able to search for his/her birth father (provided that he is clearly identified in the adoption file), or for other siblings who were placed for adoption. If a birth parent has received a vetoed document, they can still put their name on the Passive Registry in the event the adopted adult wishes to have contact in the future.
How else can I use a veto?
Some people want to have more control over when contact happens - they don't want someone arriving on their doorstep. An adopted adult or birth parent (registered on our Passive Registry) can still place a veto with Vital Statistics and include a note with it, asking that the other person register with us. A reunion consultant would then help you make contact with each other and offer intermediary and counseling support where needed.
With the changes in legislation in 1996, adopted adults and birth parents now have greater access to identifying information from their adoption records. Some have chosen to take this information and search on their own, while others have chosen to use our professional search and intermediary services.
The person you are searching for may have already registered with us.
Our Passive Registry has been in existence since 1988. As soon as there is a match, you are contacted by a reunion consultant who can help arrange the initial contact. Information can be provided to help you throughout the reunion process. If either of you need any support or assistance during the various stages of your reunion, your reunion consultant/counselor is available to you.
Some clients are unable or uncomfortable doing a search on their own.
While some searches can be quite easy, others can be very time-consuming, difficult and quite costly. Searches can also involve making potentially awkward calls to family members who may or may not be willing to give you needed information. Under the current legislation, the ARR has access to information that can often expedite a search. Our search fees simply cover the cost of an average search. Full or partial fee exemptions are available, based on your income.
Others are okay about searching, but wonder, "How will I approach the person when I find them?"
This can be a very sensitive issue, since you have no way of knowing what the person's life circumstances are. Getting a call out of the blue may be well received or may be overwhelming for all involved. Sensitivity towards the other person's needs is very important. A reunion consultant is in an ideal position to make contact in a sensitive, respectful manner, providing support to both parties.
Some clients appreciate the degree of safety that a reunion consultant can provide when contact begins.
The desire to finally have answers can sometimes overshadow clear thinking about boundary issues. When making contact on your own, you may be faced with giving out identifying information before you have assessed whether it really feels comfortable to do so. Using a reunion consultant allows you the choice of exchanging letters through a neutral person, until you wish to exchange full names and addresses. Some choose to use this service for a long period of time, others feel quite comfortable moving into direct contact right away. Ultimately, the decision is left up to the two of you.
Many clients have expressed their appreciation of the support that a reunion consultant can give during the various stages of a reunion.
Reunions can be quite emotional. A reunion consultant can help you prepare for contact by exploring expectations and possible outcomes. She/he can provide support, feedback, and help around numerous issues that can come up during the reunion process. If problems emerge over time, the reunion consultant can help you through this. In addition to services being provided to you, support and counseling are also available to the person you are searching for. Since other family members may be affected over the course of a reunion, services are also available to adoptive parents, siblings, husbands/wives. We can provide counseling support over the telephone.
What happens if the person I am interested in contacting advises ARR that they do not want to have contact with me? Can I ask the ARR to make contact with them again in the future?
No. When someone declines contact with you they are advised that, although the file is being closed, they can re-approach the registry should their circumstances change. In the event this occurs, ARR will contact you and see if you are still interested in having contact. If your contact information is no longer valid, they would be advised of their right to request an active search for you.
What if the person I am searching for does not decline contact when approached by ARR, but does nothing to further the process?
If the person does not commit to actively participating in a reunion, the file will assume an inactive status after a six month period. ARR will advise both of you if the file becomes inactive. The file can only be reactivated if the person approaches us and is ready to proceed.
Will ARR follow up after the person has initially been notified that the file is inactive?
No. They are advised at the time the file goes inactive that when they are ready to proceed they can re-approach the registry.
Sometimes people are not ready to participate in reunion when they are contacted. Sometimes people indicate they are interested or ready, but their actions contradict their words. Some people ignore requests made by phone or letter to contact the ARR to discuss the reunion process, therefore we are unable to discuss the matter with them at all.
I was reunited with someone through ARR but we have lost contact with each other. Will ARR assist to re-establish contact?
The expectation is that once you are reunited, it is up to both of you to stay in touch with one another if you so desire. However, in exceptional circumstances, you may wish to contact us to discuss possible options.
I've been on the passive registry for some time and am considering requesting an active search. Do I need to send in another registration form?
No, you do not need to submit another registration form.
However, provided you are eligible to request an active search, you will need to submit the following:
How long does my name stay on the passive registry? Will I need to renew my registration?
There is no need to renew your registration. Your name stays on the passive registry until you request that it is withdrawn or until you have found all the people you are looking for. However, you do need to advise us of any changes of address.
What other information is available to me?
Vital Statistics
Adopted adults and birth parents can access Adoption Orders and original Birth Registrations (OBR's) through Vital Statistics (birth fathers can not access this document unless they are named on the OBR). These documents will give you identifying information at the time of the adoption.
The only reason this identifying information would not be released to you is if a Disclosure Veto has been filed by the other party.
For more information, please call Vital Statistics at 1 800 663-8328 or 250 952-2681 or 604 660-2937. Be clear about your situation (i.e. "I'm an adopted adult looking for my original Birth Registration" or "I'm a birth mother looking for my birth daughter's Order of Adoption") - this information is now legally yours. Be careful about the distinction between a Birth Certificate and an original Birth Registration; they are two different things. An OBR will cost you $50 and you will need it if you intend to search through the ARR.
Information, Access and Breach Management Branch (IABMB)
IABMB will provide adopted adults and birth parents with information from the adoption file. This information is accessed under and governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Please contact IABMB for more information as to what this file will contain. Their address is:
Information, Access & Breach Management Branch
Ministry of Children and Family Development
P.O. Box 9702, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9S1
250 387-0820
Adoption Reunion Registry
PO Box 9705 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9S1
Phone: 250 387-3660 (Victoria, BC)
For toll-free access within North America, call:
1 877 387-3660
Top