ACCESSING INFORMATION: LEGAL, MEDICAL, ADOPTION, FREEDOM OF INFO ACT ETC

Here is how to access records from different agencies I know of (TIP: works great to provide proof for applying for PWD and proving medical conditions/disabilities):

LEGAL:

COURTS - CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK: IF you have a person's legal name, you can go to the 1st floor of the Victoria Law Court House and look up the person's criminal record on the computer or the court clerk can provide extensive and detailed information on criminal history, trial dates, charges etc. This service is FREE. This is good for a girl's protection so she knows if a dangerous male is in jail or not and what he is charged with ie: how bad a liar/criminal/psycho he is.

ALSO look up criminal records online https://eservice.ag.gov.bc.ca/cso/index.do ***THERE IS A $6 CHARGE PER PAGE NOW. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE PROPER LEGAL NAME. THE PRICE OF NOT DOING IT COULD BE MUCH HIGHER. ***
copy then paste

POLICE: did you know you can request all of your written records involving the Police? You need to:
1) go to the Police station
2) fill out a request form to obtain records
3) have Identification to prove who you are

MEDICAL:

rate your Physician or surgeon do a background check at College of Physicians and Surgeons and www.ratemds.com

Did you know you can request any records of when you stayed in a hospital, including emergency, in patient, out patient and mental health institutes? Also including children. You need to contact the person in charge of records.

VIHA: Information Access and Privacy Office:
1952 Bay Street (at Royal Jubilee Hospital)
Victoria, BC V8R 1J8

Phone (250) 370-8043 Fax (250) 370-8971

WEBSITE: http://www.viha.ca/info_privacy/frequently_asked_questions.htm

OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS/GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ETC: you can request records from ANY medical professional, institution, or organization/agency you have been involved with (including the Ministry of Housing and Income Assistance, any individual doctors you have seen for any reason etc. Contact the appropriate person and say you want your information released and they will tell you how to get it done. You can either get it mailed or pick it up from the office.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT(FOIPPA)
Regarding: ADOPTION
If you want to obtain your birth records and register yourself on the Adoption Registry and find your family members, or have them find you, do this:

a) BIRTH RECORDS/CERTIFICATES ETC:
1) Go to VITAL STATISTICS office - 818 Fort st. between Quadra st and Vancouver on LEFT side as travelling up Fort st.
WEBSITE: http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/
Phone: 1 888 876-1633
2) Request what you want to the person at the desk then you fill out forms. Requesting Birth Records was $50 for me. Can apply on-line as well.

b) FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ABOUT ADOPTION AND ADOPTION REGISTRY
Mailing Address:
Office of the Information and Privacy
Commissioner for British Columbia
PO Box 9038, Stn. Prov. Govt.
Victoria, BC V8W 9A4
Location:
3rd Floor, 756 Fort Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1H2

Telephone:
(250) 387-5629

WEBSITE: http://www.oipc.bc.ca/sector_public/public_info/index.htm

c) ADOPTION REGISTRY:
Adoption Reunion Registry
PO Box 9705 Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9S1
OFFICE is right next to Library on Broughton st between Blanchard/Douglas st big red brick building with a security guard in a booth at entrance.

Phone: 250 387-3660 (Victoria, BC)
For toll-free access within North America, call:
1 877 387-3660

WEBSITE: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption/reunion/

Services include:
Active Search
Passive Registry
Counselling

***You can get fees waved by filling out a form with proof (eg. cheque stub) that you are low income.

It was really trippy when I received my birth records I never really knew for sure who I actually was still information gaps cuz I haven't talked to anyone first hand. It was like reading a script in a movie, someone else's life, but in reality this was MY life! The counsellors there are good they provide lots of resources and articles to read, there are adoption support groups etc. I found it was very validating and a huge relief yet sad, as I found out the truth, but, having the chance to find out, it is better knowing the truth then lies or not knowing at all, or at least trying to find out. I am happier for it, knowing as opposed to not knowing. At least I took the opportunity and gave it to my birth parents to find me.