Accessing your post-adoption records and starting a search in Québec

I - How to go about searching for a parent or child

You will need to submit a written request to the Youth Centre (Centre Jeunesse, or formerly the C.S.S.) in the region where the child was born. For a complete list of the Youth Centres, click here. (Pdf, 138ko)

It is essential that you follow this procedure. There are two things you should request.

A] Ask to be sent non-identifying information about your birth parent or your child.
If you are an adoptee looking for your birth mother, you should address your request to the Youth Centre in the region where you were adopted. This document is a synopsis with no information that would allow you to identify the person you are looking for.

If you are a birth mother looking for your child, you should address your request to the Youth Centre in the region where the child was given up for adoption. This document is a synopsis with no information that would allow you to identify the adoptive family.

If you are an orphan, you should address your request to the Youth Centre in the last region in which you were living before you reached adult age or to the Youth Centre in the region where you were born.
B] Ask to be added to the post-adoption registry so that your name can be forwarded to other people looking for you.
The Québec Youth Centres are the only places where the adoption records are kept. As a result, they are the only people who know the identity of the people concerned. The original names and the names given at baptism are often fictitious, and thus of no use. The Youth Centres give priority to the following cases:
  • children whose mother is older than 70
  • serious illness
  • orphans
  • social distress (psychological disorders)
  • matches
Since October 1, 2007, all services for the post-adoption sector in the Youth Centers are free of charge. So, the three steps (search, contact and reunion) are free of charge. No extra fees are required to open your file, send your non-identifying information, or any other application in this sector.

II - Registration with Mouvement Retrouvailles

If you register with Mouvement Retrouvailles before, you have the chance of finding a match if both parties are already Mouvement Retrouvailles members.

If you are a Mouvement Retrouvailles member and have a request with the Youth Center, you can ask to be accompanied by Mouvement Retrouvailles during the third stage of the process, i.e. the reunion. We offer this service free of charge to our members. We have helpers who will be happy to provide you with guidance and support during this period.

Do not hesitate to request this service. People are there, waiting to help you, in a completely non-judgmental setting. Remember, we are all going through the same situation, some are just more affected than others. Click here to receive a membership application by mail for Mouvement Retrouvailles.

Mouvement Retrouvailles - Head-office
150, Grant - Bureau 201
Longueuil, QC J4H 3H6
Phone : (450) 646-1060   Fax : (450) 646-7401
1-888-646-1060

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