Filing an Application for Service
- Access to Adoption Information
- Disclosure Veto
- No-Contact Declaration
- Written Statement
- Cancellation
- Limitations of Disclosure
- Application Form
- Further Information
Access to Adoption Information
Societal attitudes towards adoption have changed. Increasingly, persons involved in adoptions want greater openness and access to information.
The Adoption Act, 2013 which came into effect on June 30, 2014 continues to recognize the importance of openness for both adopted persons and birth parents. An adopted person 19 years of age or older may apply to the Vital Statistics Division to obtain a copy of their original birth registration and adoption order. These documents will include the name of their birth parents at the time of registration. Birth parents of adopted people who are 19 years of age or older may apply to the Vital Statistics Division for a copy of the adopted person’s amended birth registration and adoption order to learn the person’s adopted name. Individuals involved in an adoption prior to April 30, 2003 wishing to maintain their privacy under the Act have the option of filing a Disclosure Veto or a No-Contact Declaration.
Birth parents who apply for registration will not be given the adopted parents’ information.
Disclosure Veto
A Disclosure Veto is a document filed with the Vital Statistics Division which will prevent the release of any birth registration or adoption order information identifying the person who has filed the veto.
The option of filing a disclosure veto is available to birth parents and adopted people involved in adoptions prior to April 30, 2003. A Disclosure Veto may be filed with the Vital Statistics Division by adopted persons once they have reached 18 years of age. Birth parents may file a Disclosure Veto at any time.
No-Contact Declaration
A No-Contact Declaration is a document filed with the Vital Statistics Division which will prohibit any contact with the person who has filed the No-Contact Declaration.
A person applying for access to birth registration and adoption order records through the Vital Statistics Division will be required to sign a Statutory Declaration if a No-Contact Declaration has been filed. The applicant must declare that he/she will not contact, intimidate or harass the other person or have anyone else contact, intimidate or harass the other person as long as the No-Contact Declaration is in effect. Under the Adoption Act, 2013, anyone who violates a No-Contact Declaration will face a maximum penalty, on conviction, of a fine of up to $10,000 and/or a term of imprisonment.
The option of filing a No-Contact Declaration is available to birth parents and adopted persons for any adoptions that occured prior to April 30, 2003. A No-Contact Declaration may be filed with the Vital Statistics Division by adopted people 18 years of age or older. Birth parents may file a No-Contact Declaration at anytime.
Written Statement
A person filing a Disclosure Veto and/or No-Contact Declaration has the option of filing a written statement (attached to the other forms) with the Vital Statistics Division. This written statement may include any information which the person chooses to disclose. Where a written statement has been filed by an adopted person or a birth parent, the Vital Statistics Division will forward this statement to the other party on their application for birth registration and adoption order information.
Cancellation
A Disclosure Veto or No-Contact Declaration will continue in effect until it is cancelled or until one year after the death of the person who filed it. A person who has filed a Disclosure Veto or No-Contact Declaration may cancel it at any time by completing an Application to Cancel a Disclosure Veto or No-Contact Declaration form and forwarding it to the Vital Statistics Division.
Limitations of Disclosure
The Vital Statistics Division will not release identifying information in its records respecting a person who has filed a disclosure veto. The Vital Statistics Division will not release identifying information in its records if an adopted person or birth parent has filed a No-Contact Declaration, unless the person requesting the record has signed a legal undertaking declaring that they will not contact the person who has filed the No-Contact Declaration. If no documents are filed, information will be released.
The filing of a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration applies only to records held by the Newfoundland and Labrador Vital Statistics Division. It is not a guarantee of privacy or confidentiality. The other person may choose to locate or identify you through other means.
Application Form
The Disclosure Veto, No-Contact Declaration, and Cancellation forms are available online or at the Vital Statistics Division.
Further Information
Send questions online or go to the Vital Statistics Division.