New adoption records privacy tool available

Adoptions can be an emotional, sensitive issue. People who have been adopted or birth parents may want to control how their identifying information is shared or may wish to protect their adoption record information.

To help people protect or control their private information, a new web portal is now available for filling out disclosure vetoes and contact notices with the province's Disclosure Program. The website also has printable versions of the forms to download, fill out and send through email or regular mail.

"We want people who wish to protect their privacy to have a choice of how they use the privacy tools," says Karla MacFarlane, Minister of Community Services.

"Recognizing that this is a deeply personal and emotional matter, Disclosure Program staff are also available to discuss options with anyone impacted by the new legislation,” she says. “I encourage Nova Scotians to reach out with questions or concerns or just to talk it through."

A disclosure veto is a document stating an adopted person or a birth parent does not wish to share information that can identify them.

A contact notice lets people share information that can identify them and set parameters around if or how they choose to be contacted.

New legislation that takes effect this spring will allow adopted children, once they turn 19, and birth parents to access adoption information if they want to. The change will apply to all adoption records.

“It is important to note that under the new legislation, people who have previously indicated they want to keep their information private are still required to fill out a privacy tool,” reads a media release.

"We are excited about the potential of the online adoption disclosure tool. This will give adoptees, birth parents and families impacted by adoption another avenue to access important information,” says Scott Pyke, Administrator, Nova Scotia Adoptee Advocacy Group. “We continue to be excited about the steps taken to modernize the disclosure system here in Nova Scotia and this will have a positive impact on many people."

Adopted people, birth parents and others affected by the changes the province is making can get more information or file a disclosure veto or contact notice by contacting the Disclosure Program by phone at 902-424-2755 or toll-free at 1-833-424-2755. People can email: disclosureprogram@novascotia.ca. Or they can go the mail route at: Disclosure Program, 2131 Gottingen Street, 3rd Floor, Halifax, NS B3K 5Z7.

You can also visit the website: https://novascotia.ca/ adoption-records-changes/