Adoptions

This section has key information for those looking to adopt a child and explains the adoption options available in British Columbia.

Once an adoption has been granted, the Vital Statistics Agency:

• Registers the event
• Updates the birth records of children born and adopted here

This section also describes how to access adoption records.

Adoptions are governed by the Adoption Act in order to protect everyone’s interests – especially the interests of the child being adopted.

Only the provincial government and licensed non-profit adoption agencies are authorized to place children. They're required to:

• Provide counseling to parents who are considering placing a child for adoption
• Assess the prospective adoptive parents (unless they're related to the parent) to make sure they are suitable
• Help the parent meet legal requirements
• Offer post­-adoption support

Find out what's involved in the adoption process, who can help and how to search for adopted children or birth parents.

• Discover the different types of adoption in B.C.
• Deciding to place a child for adoption
• Learn about adoption privacy and confidentiality rules
• Find your birth parents, adopted child or relatives

Adoption practice standards

The 2001 Adoption Practice Standards (abbreviated) (PDF, 1MB) provide direction to workers providing adoption services delegated by the Director of Adoption under section 77 of the Adoption Act.

Workers planning adoption provide guardianship services for children who are in the care, custody or guardianship of the Director of Adoption under section 23 or 24 of the Adoption Act. Workers also assume guardianship responsibilities when planning adoption for children in the continuing custody of a director under the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA), or under guardianship of a director pursuant to section 29 of the Family Relations Act.