Adoption | Children Waiting for Adoption | Birth Parent Involvement | The Adoption Process
Adoption Placement | Stability and Adoptive Homes | Adoption Disclosure | FAQ | Links | Help Find Homes for Teens
| Adoption Stories Video


You’re interested in learning more about adoption? There are many children in our region and throughout Ontario who are waiting to be placed for adoption. Take some time to read through these pages to obtain more information about becoming an adoptive family. Click on the above links to get to the information more quickly. We also welcome you to contact us directly to discuss your desire to provide a permanent home for a child.


Adoption is a legal and social process through which a child becomes a part of a new family. It is intended to provide the child with permanence and security and is a life long process that requires commitment, patience and skill.

The face of adoption has changed over the years to reflect changing patterns in our society. Not long ago, only babies were considered for adoption. Now, there are children, birth to sixteen years of age, being adopted in Ontario, including those with special needs. Adopting toddlers and older children is very different from adopting a newborn infant, because they may have experienced a great deal, and carry those experiences with them. Parents who adopt older children must be mature and flexible to meet their needs. They may also need to develop certain special skills and awareness, so the children feel comfortable as members of their new families.

Adoption Stories Video

• Public adoption through the Children’s Aid Society (Family and Children’s Services)
• Private adoption through a licensed agency or individual
• International adoption through a licensed organization

Through Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region (FACS), you will participate in a process that allows for the best possible match of a child to your family. As we are a child protection agency, our mandate directs us to provide services in the best interest of the child. Therefore, we will strive to find the most suitable home for the child, rather than a child for the adopting parents. Our focus is not about finding a child for a family, but instead finding the most suitable family for each waiting child.

The process to adopt children in Ontario is governed under the Child and Family Services Act and authorized by the Ministry Of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children’s Services. The Child and Family Services Act (CFSA) details the legal process of adoption in the province. The intent of this legislation is to protect the rights of every party involved in an adoption.


1. Parental rights are terminated through the court and an order of Crown Wardship-no access is obtained.

A Crown Wardship order is made by the courts on determination that in the child's best interests he/she can no longer live with his/her birth parents. The province accepts all rights and responsibilities for the child once a child has been made a Crown Ward. Family and Children’s Services is required by law to make all reasonable efforts to secure an adoption placement, if adoption planning is in the child's best interests.

2. A birth mother (and sometimes birth father) consent to placing their child for adoption.

When a parent or parents choose an adoption plan, a consent for adoption must be signed. This type of adoption is generally for infant placements. This consent cannot be given until the infant is eight days old. A child being placed for adoption who is seven years of age or older must also give written consent. Consent given by either the parent or child (if the child is seven years or older) may be withdrawn within 21 days after the consent is given.

Our mailing address is:
Foster Adopt Recruitment Team
Family & Children's Services of the Region of Waterloo
300 Ardelt Avenue
Kitchener, Ontario N2G 2S6
Call (519) 576-0540, ask for a Foster/Adopt Recruitment Worker
E-mail: foster.adoption@facswaterloo.org