About Adoption

The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa allows adoption for individuals and couples meeting specific criteria, such as being over the age of 18, residing in the City of Ottawa, being a permanent resident or Canadian citizen, and being financial stable, and prioritizes the adoption of children with diverse special needs, large sibling groups, and adolescents.

Who can adopt

The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa welcomes single, married, common-law and 2SLGBTQIA+ applicants, meeting the following criteria:

  • Resident of Ottawa Region
  • Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Minimum 18 years of age
  • Good general health: mental and physical
  • Financially self-sufficient
  • Willingness to work with the agency and other professionals
  • Awareness of the variety of complex needs related to parenting children being placed on adoption through a Children’s Aid Society
  • Willing to engage in the adoption home study and training process
  • No substance abuse, no condoning of illegal substances
  • No criminal charges pending or significant criminal background
  • No verified incidents of child abuse
  • Safe home environment appropriate for a child
  • Ability to carry out essential duties of parenting
  • Willingness to learn new skills
  • Stable relationship
  • Sensitivity to cultural differences and backgrounds of children
  • Awareness of the benefits of openness post adoption to preserve beneficial and meaningful relationships for the child
  • For couples applying, that both partners be fully committed to pursuing adoption
  • Applicants must not be actively pursuing infertility treatments
  • Applicants must not be actively pursuing pregnancy

Who are adoptive children?

Adoptive children come from a variety of cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. They are young children, elementary school-aged children, and older youth in need of a home where they can be supported. In most cases, these children and youth are currently living in foster homes. Most of the older children waiting to be adopted have experienced challenges in their short lives and need time, patience and help to adjust to a new home. It is important that you are aware of the varied needs of the children who seek adoption to prepare you for your role as a parent.

Our current need for families

Our greatest need is for adoptive parents who would welcome children with diverse special needs, large sibling groups (3 or more brothers and sisters) of any age, or our adolescent population.

We welcome your call to discuss the needs of our children. You can reach our Adoption Intake Line at 613-747-7800 (and follow the prompts).

Role of birth parents

The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa honours the birth parents’ right to be involved in the choice of the adoptive parent and when in the child’s best interest to have an ongoing role in the child’s life. Prior to an adoption, the birth parent(s) may provide input about the kind of family they would like for their child and may in some cases even select the adoptive family from profiles.

The values, lifestyle, education, religion, cultural heritage and other characteristics which are important to the birth parents are considered carefully when choosing the child’s adoptive parents.

Preserving positive relationships, such as with a birth parent, sibling, grandparent, or aunt and allowing a child a clearer understanding of their identity and past are the cornerstones of openness. The degree of openness a child needs, a birth parent wants, or an adopting family can accept, is carefully considered early in the adoption process. The goal of openness is to support continuity of relationships, community and culture for the adopted child. We are looking for adoptive families who value and will maintain these connections for the adopted child.