Manitoba Post-Adoption Services – Frequently Asked Questions
For detailed information about the specific services available, please select the appropriate section that relates to you.
If you believe that your situation is unique or if you have further questions, you may contact our toll free intake line at 1-855-837-5542 or email us at postadoption@gov.mb.ca and a Post-Adoption Specialist will get back to you.
Adoptee & Adoptive Family Members/Descendants
Are there any fees for the post-adoption services?
No, Manitoba Post-Adoption Services does not charge any fees for the services that we provide.
Is an Order of Adoption the same thing as a Decree of Absolute Adoption?
Yes. An Order or Decree of Adoption is the document that shows when and by whom an adoptee was legally adopted.
I am an adult adoptee; can I receive a copy of the file related to my birth family and adoption?
No. Under Manitoba Legislation, the records relating to the granting of an order of adoption are confidential and therefore we are unable to provide you with a copy of your records. Please be aware that despite any provision in The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act the provisions in The Adoption Act prevail. The only exception is your pre-adoption birth registration and Order of Adoption. You are entitled to obtain non-identifying information from the records compiled into a Social History.
To apply please complete the Adult Adoptee Application.
I am an adoptee who was born in another jurisdiction but adopted in Manitoba; can I receive a copy of my pre-adoption birth registration and Order of Adoption?
If the jurisdiction that you were born in has open records, then you must apply for a copy of your pre-adoption birth registration through that jurisdiction.
If the jurisdiction where you were born in does not have open records, then you may apply for your pre-adoption birth registration through the Manitoba Post-Adoption Services if you are 18+ years of age. You will receive a schedule of particulars sharing the information recorded on your pre-adoption birth registration (if it is contained in our records) and a copy of your Order Adoption.
To apply please complete the Adult Adoptee Application.
I am an adult adoptee and had a search conducted for my birth parent(s) in the past and they chose not to register to share identifying information and have personal contact with me. Am I still entitled to a copy of my pre-adoption birth registration?
You may apply for a copy of your pre-adoption birth registration, however; the name of the birth parent who previously refused will be redacted from the document.
You will be entitled to a copy of your pre-adoption birth registration with your parent’s name on it if we locate a record of their death and they have been deceased for one year or more or when they would be 101 years of age.
To apply please complete the Adult Adoptee Application.
I am an adult adoptee and had a search conducted for my birth parent in the past and Manitoba Post-Adoption Services was not able to locate or make direct contact with them. Am I still entitled to a copy of my pre-adoption birth registration?
Yes, you are entitled to a complete copy of your pre-adoption birth registration.
To apply please complete the Adult Adoptee Application.
I am an adoptee and I believe I have indigenous heritage, how do I obtain information on my birth family and my background?
If you are 18+ years of age, you may wish to apply for a copy of your pre-adoption birth registration and Order of Adoption. Your pre-adoption birth registration may list your birth parents’ ethnic/cultural background and band membership. Your Order of Adoption will show that you were legally adopted in Manitoba, when and by who.
If you are 18+ years of age, you may also wish to request your non-identifying Social History in order to receive information from the records regarding your birth family including their ethnic and cultural background. Please be aware we cannot guarantee that the information in the records is complete or accurate.
You must apply through Indigenous Services Canada or the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) /your local Métis Federation if you wish to establish Treaty Status or Métis Citizenship; these organizations have processes in place for adoptees.
I am an adoptee/descendant of an adoptee, how do I apply for Treaty Status?
You must apply directly through Indigenous Services Canada, there is a process in place for adoptees and their descendants.
I am an adoptee/descendant of an adoptee, how do I apply for Métis Citizenship?
You must apply directly through the MMF or your local Métis Federation. MMF has a process in place for adoptees and their descendants.
I am an adoptive parent, can I apply for my child’s pre-adoption birth registration on their behalf?
No. Under Manitoba Legislation, the pre-adoption birth is only available to adoptees (18+) and birth parents named on the pre-adoption birth registration.
I am an adoptive parent and I believe my child has Indigenous heritage, how do I apply for Treaty Status or Métis Citizenship for my child?
With respect to Treaty Status, you must apply directly through Indigenous Services Canada, there is a process in place for minor adoptees.
With respect to Métis Citizenship, you must apply directly through the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) or your local Métis Federation. MMF has a process in place for minor adoptees.
I am the child of a deceased adoptee; can I obtain copies of my parent’s birth and adoption records?
Under Manitoba Legislation, a child of a deceased adoptee is not entitled to copies of any documents but is entitled to apply for a non-identifying Social History compiled from their parent’s birth and adoption records.
To apply, please complete the Adult Child of an Adoptee Application (when Adoptee is Deceased).
I am the descendant of an adoptee and am seeking information on their birth family and adoption, what services am I entitled to?
Manitoba Post-Adoption Services is not legislated to provide services to extended family members of adoptees. Our services are only legislated to extend to children of adoptees when the adoptee is deceased and not to further descendants such as grandchildren.
Birth Family Members
Are there any fees for post-adoption services?
No. Manitoba Post-Adoption Services does not charge any fees for the services that we provide.
I am a birth parent and had a search conducted for my adult child in the past and they chose not to register to share identifying information and have personal contact. Am I still entitled to apply for a copy of their pre-adoption and substituted birth registrations?
Birth parents named on the pre-adoption birth registration are still entitled to a copy of this document as well as a copy of the substituted registration of birth. However, the adoptee’s identifying information will be redacted from the substituted registration of birth. Adoptive parents’ identifying information is always redacted from this document.
I am a birth parent and had a search conducted for my adult child in the past and Manitoba Post-Adoption Services was not able to locate or make direct contact with them. Am I still entitled to apply for a copy of their pre-adoption and substituted birth registrations?
Birth parents named on the pre-adoption birth registration are entitled to a copy of this document as well as a copy of the substituted registration of birth, which will list your child’s full name by adoption. The adoptive parents’ identifying information is always redacted from this document.
I have limited information on my child/grandchild/sibling that was placed for adoption, how can I obtain more information and services?
If you do not have enough information to complete the forms for post-adoption services and require assistance, you may contact our toll free (in Canada and the USA) intake line at 1-855-837-5542 or email us at postadoption@gov.mb.ca and a Post-Adoption Specialist will get back to you.