Adoption disclosure legislation that went into effect June 1 in Ontario, Canada, give thousands of adoptees the chance to learn about their biological family history. Under the new law, adoptees can apply for copies of adoption orders and birth registrations.

According to the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the result is adoptees will be more easily able to find out what their original names were, as well as who their birth parents were. It could also help birth parents learn the name their child was given after he or she was adopted. (Source: CBC News)

The new law will also give adoptees access to medical information that had been previously out of reach. Both adoptees and birth parents have the option of filing a disclosure veto if they want their information to remain sealed.

Many adoption advocates believe that learning more about their personal history can help adopted children deal with many adoption-related stresses and developmental issues.

Labels: adoption rights, adopted children, birth_parents

Posted By: Aspen/CRC