Adoption Reunion Service

Reunion services are only for individuals who are 19 years or older and who were involved in an adoption that took place in B.C. A passive registry as well as active search services are available.

The BC Adoption Reunion Service helps people who were separated by adoption to apply to be reunited with the other party. It is for adoptions that were granted in British Columbia and for people who are 19 years or older.

• Applicants are required to pay fees for search and reunion services
• Disclosure Vetoes and No-Contact Declarations are available

Who can use the service

• Adopted adults who are 19 years of age or older
• Birth parents of adopted children who are now 19 years of age or older
• Siblings, if the shared birth parent is deceased
• Children or grandchildren of adopted adults who are deceased

Search and Reunion Services

There are two main services:

1. Passive Reunion Service – A match occurs only if both parties are registered (There is a $25 fee per applicant)
2. Active Search – An Adoption Consultant searches for a specified person (There is a $250 initial fee; there is an $180 fee for each subsequent search)
   • An Adoption Consultant checks if the person is already registered on the Passive Registry
   • If not, the Consultant tries to locate them unless a No Contact Declaration or Veto has been signed
   • If both parties agree, the Adoption Consultant will share contact information

There is a fee waiver request available to qualified applicants.

How to apply

• Download the application form from the BC Adoption Reunion Service website or here;
  • Passive Search Application form (PDF, 1MB)
  • Active Search Application form (PDF, 967KB)
• Fill out the form and include the required documents
• Email or mail your application to the registry office

Fees and documents

• $25 application fee 
• You can ask for the fee to be waived if you have low income
  • Search and Reunion Income Test (PDF, 334KB)
• If an Active search is requested, a $250 fee is required before a search begins
• Include a copy of your birth certificate
• Include a copy of the adopted person’s birth registration or adoption order
• All fees may be paid by  credit card, debit or cheque through PayBC

Disclosures vetoes and no-contact declarations

Disclosure vetoes and no-contact declarations limit the types of information that the Vital Statistics Agency will share about your adoption.