Overview
The Ministry of Social Services is responsible for securely maintaining records created under The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP), The Adoption Act and The Child and Family Services Act (CFSA). Individuals over 18 years of age who have received services from the ministry have the right to request their personal records.
You will find information about accessing your personal information created under The Child and Family Services Act (CFSA) on this page.
Please visit the Post-Adoption Services webpage for more information pertaining to registry services for eligible adoptees, adoptive parents and birth parents.
Please visit the Access to Information Requests webpage to learn how to apply for records of clients who received services from income assistance, disability programs, social housing or if you are wishing to access general Ministry of Social Services information.
How to apply for your own CFSA records
Step 1: Complete the Request for Personal Records Form.
Step 2: You will need to provide a copy of one piece of primary identification and one piece of secondary identification.
Primary ID
- Driver’s licence
- Passport
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Permanent Resident Card
- Canadian Record of Landing/Canadian Immigration Identification Record
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Métis Nation/Federation Photo ID
Secondary ID
- Health Card
- Birth certificate
- School ID card (student card)
- Bank or credit card (only if applicant's name is on card)
- Vehicle registration (only if applicant's signature is shown)
- Picture employee ID card
- Other documents that would be considered acceptable identification for cheque cashing purposes at banks or other financial institutions
Step 3: Submit your request
How to apply for someone else’s CFSA records
Step 1:Complete the Request for Other Individual’s Records Form and Consent to Disclose Information Form.
Step 2: If you are authorized to request another individual’s personal records on their behalf, you will need to provide a copy of that authority (i.e., guardianship documents, etc.) and consent, if necessary.
Step3: You will need to provide two pieces of the client's identification. One primary piece and one secondary piece is required.
Primary ID
- Driver’s licence
- Passport
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Permanent Resident Card
- Canadian Record of Landing/Canadian Immigration Identification Record
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Métis Nation/Federation Photo ID
Secondary ID
- Health Card
- Birth certificate
- School ID card (student card)
- Bank or credit card (only if applicant's name is on card)
- Vehicle registration (only if applicant's signature is shown)
- Picture employee ID card
- Other documents that would be considered acceptable identification for cheque cashing purposes at banks or other financial institutions
Step 4: Submit your request
How to apply for a deceased person’s CFSA records
The following people connected to the deceased individual may access the deceased person’s records:
- a parent of the deceased individual;
- an adult child of the deceased individual;
- an adult sibling of the deceased individual; and
- the spouse of the deceased individual.
Step 1: Complete the Request for Deceased Individual’s Records Form.
Step 2: If you request deceased individual’s records, you may need:
- Proof of death documentation, such as a copy of an obituary notice, a death certificate, or a photo of a tombstone.
- Proof of your status as executor of the estate or confirmation of your relationship by way of marriage certificate, birth certificate, obituary details (for siblings), written authorization from the individual prior to death, legal care arrangements.
Step 3: You will need to provide two pieces of the your identification. One primary piece and one secondary piece is required.
Primary ID
- Driver’s licence
- Passport
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Permanent Resident Card
- Canadian Record of Landing/Canadian Immigration Identification Record
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Métis Nation/Federation Photo ID
Secondary ID
- Health Card
- Birth certificate
- School ID card (student card)
- Bank or credit card (only if applicant's name is on card)
- Vehicle registration (only if applicant's signature is shown)
- Picture employee ID card
- Other documents that would be considered acceptable identification for cheque cashing purposes at banks or other financial institutions ;
Step 4: Submit your request
What you need to know about applying for records
- There is no cost to apply for Ministry of Social Services records.
- The ministry will contact you upon receipt of your request and again to confirm your address before releasing your records.
- Typically, records will be sent through Xpresspost. This means that Canada Post will need your signature.
- You will receive your own personal information and information about your birth family, which may include:
- Your health, education, time in care, etc.;
- The reasons for removal;
- Names of your immediate and extended family members;
- Extended family care providers;
- Names of Ministry of Social Services staff; and
- Names of individuals whose jobs are subject to:
- The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act;
- The Health Information Protection Act; or
- The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
- Privacy legislation only allows you to receive information about yourself or those you have the consent or legal authority to receive.
- Consent is required when requesting records of any individual over the age of 18.
- By law, third-party information, such as names of foster parents, foster family members or other individuals that may have lived in the home who were not the applicant’s siblings must be removed from any information you are eligible to receive.
- A review is a fair and objective process to have an independent qualified party review records that have been released to an applicant. This review process will verify if the ministry adhered to its legislation, policy and procedures related to the access to information process and release of records or recommend if additional information should be released.
- The Reviewer cannot make recommendations to change legislation; however, they can make recommendations to the ministry that more information be shared.
- If you believe the legislation and policies related to the information were not properly applied, you can request a review within one year of receiving the decision letter by contacting Records and Privacy. There is no cost to request a review.
Records and Privacy
Phone: 306-787-0227
Fax: 306-798-5550
Email: access.privacy@gov.sk.ca
Mail: 14th Floor, 1920 Broad Street, Regina, SK S4P 3V6