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This page provides information on Disclosure Veto’s and Filing a Disclosure Veto or No Contact Declaration.
A disclosure veto filed with the Vital Statistics Agency will prevent the release by the Vital Statistics Agency of any birth registration or adoption order information identifying the person who has filed the veto.
The option of filing a disclosure veto is available to both birth parents and adopted people involved in adoptions that were completed before the new Act took effect in 1996. A disclosure veto may be filed with the Vital Statistics Agency by adopted people when they reach 18 years of age or by birth parents when the adopted people have reached 18 years of age.
A No-Contact Declaration filed with the Vital Statistics Agency will prohibit any contact with the person who has filed the No-Contact Declaration. The person seeking the access to birth registration and adoption order records through the Vital Statistics Agency will be required to sign a statutory declaration promising that they will not contact the other person as long as the No-Contact Declaration is in effect. Under the new Adoption Act , anyone who violates a No-Contact Declaration will face a maximum penalty, on conviction, of six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
The option of filing a No-Contact Declaration is available to both birth parents and adopted people for any adoptions completed under pre or post 1996 adoption legislation. A No-Contact Declaration may be filed with the Vital Statistics Agency by adopted people 18 years of age or older or by birth parents of adopted people.
In recognition of the importance that information on other parties to the adoption has for an adopted person or birth parent, the person filing a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration has the option of filing a written statement with the Vital Statistics Agency. This written statement may include social, medical, and health information, and possibly, information on why contact or disclosure of identifying information is not desired at this time. Where a written statement has been filed by an adopted person or a birth parent who has filed a disclosure veto or no-contact declaration, the Vital Statistics Agency will forward this statement to the other party on their application for birth registration and adoption order information.
A Disclosure Veto and Statement Form and No-Contact Declaration and Statement Form can be obtained from any Vital Statistics Agency or Service BC office in the province. The forms are also available for download from this site in PDF format.
If you wish to ensure confidentiality or privacy under the Adoption Act , you may file a Disclosure Veto or No-Contact Declaration with the Vital Statistics Agency.
Under the Adoption Act a Disclosure Veto or No-Contact Declaration will remain in existence until it is lifted or until two years after the death of the person who filed it. A Disclosure Veto or No-Contact declaration may be canceled at any time by the person who filed it by contacting or writing a Vital Statistics Agency office. Please advise our office by completing the appropriate form if you wish to cancel/rescind a No-Contact declaration or Disclosure Veto.
Vetos filed with the Adoption Reunion Registry under the Adoption Act , 1979, have the same legal effect as a disclosure veto filed under the new Act. A record of these vetoes have been automatically transferred from the Registry to the Vital Statistics Agency.
When a search for adoption records is successful but a disclosure veto filed under Section 65 of the Adoption Act exists (as annotated on the birth event), the Vital Statistics Agency will release adoption records provided the information contained in the records does not allow for the identification of the person filing the disclosure veto. Where a written statement has been filed by an adopted person or a birth parent who has filed a disclosure veto, the Vital Statistics Agency will forward this statement to the other applicant.
When a search for adoption records is successful but a no-contact declaration filed under Section 66 of the Adoption Act exists ( as annotated on the birth event ), the Vital Statistics Agency will contact the applicant and advise them of the situation. The applicant will be provided with a Statutory Declaration and Undertaking Form (that will require notarization of the undertaking) , that specifies the conditions under which information will be released. Only after processing the undertaking will the adoption information be released including a copy of any written statement filed with the no-contact declaration. Failure to submit the undertaking in the form required will result in the information not being released. In addition, failure to submit the undertaking within 90 days of notification by the Vital Statistics Agency will result in the forfeiture of the service fee. Subsequent requests will be assessed the normal service fee.
The filing of a Disclosure Veto or No-Contact Declaration applies only to records held by the Vital Statistics Agency. For more information on Disclosure Vetos and No-Contact Declarations, please request a copy of our pamphlet on these subjects from any Vital Statistics Agency or Service BC office in the province.
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