Home > After the Adoption > Research into Family Origins > Information about the identity of the adopted person and the identity of his or her parents

The SAI has become the SASIE

Since October 25, 2022, the Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale (SAI) has changed its name for the Secrétariat aux services internationaux à l’enfant (SASIE). For more information, see the News section of our website.

Training prior to adopting a child domiciled outside Québec will become mandatory

As of August 10, 2023, the International Adoption: First Steps and Thoughts training program will be mandatory for all persons domiciled in Québec considering international adoption. For more information, see the News section of our website.

Information about the primary identity of the adopted person and the identity of his or her parents of origin

Bill 113, An Act to amend the Civil Code and other legislative provisions as regards adoption and the disclosure of information (2017, Chapter 12), was adopted and received assent on June 16, 2017. The amendments to the confidentiality rules regarding the identity of adopted persons and their parents of origin came into effect on June 16, 2018. For more information, visit the section Legislative amendments.

The information on this page does not replace that of the official legislation.

Person adopted before June 16, 2018 while domiciled in Québec by a person domiciled outside Québec

If you are an adopted person, your identity is protected “by operation of law”. This means that the information concerning you will remain confidential without the need for you to register a veto. Thus, your identity may not be disclosed to your mother or father of origin, if either of them requests it, except if you consent. The legislation provides that you will be informed when the first request for information about you is made if you can be located so as to have the opportunity to maintain or withdraw the veto.

To consent to the disclosure of your identity and your information to your parent of origin so that he or she may contact you, you must:

  1. fill out the Application for withdrawal of an identity disclosure veto or of a contact veto PDF file form;
  2. print and sign the form;
  3. send the form and all requested documents by email or by regular mail to the following address:
    • Email: rasri@msss.gouv.qc.ca
    • Mailing address:
      Secrétariat à l'adoption internationale (RASRI)
      201, Boul. Crémazie Est, Bureau 1.01
      Montréal, Québec
      H2M 1L2

Since June 16, 2019, you have the right to:

  • find out your original given name and surname, if this information is available, except if their disclosure would reveal the identity of your parent of origin who has already registered an identity disclosure veto;
  • find out the given name and surname of your mother or father of origin, except if your parents of origin have registered an identity disclosure veto;
  • find out the given name and surname of your mother or father of origin, even if they have registered an identity disclosure veto, if they have been dead for 12 months or longer;
  • obtain information allowing you to contact your parents of origin, if this information is available and provided there is no contact veto.

At any time, you may obtain a Summary of Family and Medical Antecedents.

Person adopted before June 16, 2018 while domiciled outside Québec by a person domiciled in Québec

If you are an adopted person, your identity is protected “by operation of law”. This means that the information concerning you will remain confidential without the need for you to register a veto. Thus, your identity may not be disclosed to your mother or father of origin, if either of them requests it, except if you consent. The legislation provides that you will be informed when the first request for information about you is made if you can be located so as to have the opportunity to maintain or withdraw the veto.

To consent to the disclosure of your identity and your information to your parent of origin so that he or she may contact you, you must:

  1. fill out the Application for withdrawal of an identity disclosure veto or of a contact veto PDF file form;
  2. print and sign the form;
  3. send the form and all requested documents by email or by regular mail to the following address:
    • Email: rasri@msss.gouv.qc.ca
    • Mailing address:
      Secrétariat à l'adoption internationale (RASRI)
      201, Boul. Crémazie Est, Bureau 1.01
      Montréal, Québec
      H2M 1L2

Since June 16, 2019, you have the right to:

  • find out your original given name and surname, if this information is available, except if their disclosure would reveal the identity of your parent of origin who has already registered an identity disclosure veto;
  • find out the given name and surname of your biological mother or father, except if your biological parents have registered an identity disclosure veto;
  • find out the given name and surname of your mother or father of origin, even if they have registered an identity disclosure veto, if they have been dead for 12 months or longer
  • obtain information allowing you to contact your parents of origin, if this information is available and provided there is no contact veto.

However, before disclosing any information concerning your parents of origin, they must provide consent, unless the law of your country of origin provides for other rules.

At any time, you may request information on your biological parents and thus obtain a Summary of Family and Medical Antecedents.

Person adopted while domiciled in Québec by a person domiciled in Québec

If you lived in Québec and were adopted by a person domiciled in Québec, you may obtain information on the new legislative provisions by consulting the page Researching Information on Your Parents of Origin or Your Adopted ChildLien externe, une nouvelle page s'ouvrira. on the Gouvernement du Québec website.