ALBERTA

•  Effective November 1, 2004, adult adoptees and birth parents will have access to identifying information about one another that is on the adoption record, unless a veto is in place.  This change applies to all adoptions granted in Alberta prior to January 1, 2005.  Individuals who want their information to remain confidential must file a veto with Alberta's Post Adoption Registry.  Filing a veto will ensure that the information remains confidential. 
   
• It is important that adoptees and birth parents learn about this change in legislation and for further information they should visit the Post Adoption Registry website at  www.gov.ab.ca/adoptionrecords   To obtain a copy of a Request for Release of Adoption Information, go to  http://www.child.gov.ab.ca/ or to have the appropriate form emailed to you, go to postadoption.registry@gov.ab.ca  
  
• To contact the Post Adoption Registry call (780) 427-6387. To use the toll free line in Alberta dial 310-0000 then dial (780) 427-6387  .
• Alberta Children's Services Minister Iris Evans is responsible for the new Act.  Parent Finders feels there is far too much emphasis on vetos in the new Act but it is a change which is long overdue.  British Columbia has had open records legislation since November 4, 1996.  
• MLA Mary Anne Jablonski, Sandra Klashinsky, Sandra Jarvie and our hard working Sandra Ladwig of Parent Finders - Red Deer, were just a few of the members of the Task Force Committee who worked tirelessly to bring about this change to the Child Youth and Family Enhancement Act. To everyone who wrote letters, attended meetings and participated in the struggle for this new legislation, we say thank you very much for your all efforts.  You have forced politicians and bureaucrats to realize that adoptees and birth parents, who want to know each other, have that right.
• Discrimination against adoptees and birth parents must not continue to be practised but until the vetos are removed from this new legislation the Alberta government will be in contravention of the Charter of Rights, Federal and Provincial Human Rights legislation and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.    
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PROVINCIAL SERVICES:

IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:  Adoptees who are least 18 years of age can request information about their birth parents.  Birth parents may request identifying information about the adoptee once the adoptee is six months past their 18th birthday..

COPY OF AN ORDER OF ADOPTION:   Write to the address above - service delivery is usually  within 3 - 4 weeks - no fee.

NON  IDENTIFYING BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  Usually received within 6 - 8 weeks.   

FEES: None 

PASSIVE REGISTRY: We do not know if this service will still be available under the new Act.  

ACTIVE SEARCH:  Adoptees and birth parents will now be able to conduct their own search but they may wish to contact one of the established Parent Finders groups, such as Parent Finders - Red Deer, to receive assistance.  It is our understanding that the fee for service, Licensed Search Agency services, were discontinued as of August 31, 2004.  

COUNSELLING: We do not know at this time if counselling will be provided under the new Act.  

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Page last updated: May 28, 2006