Illinois Adoption Records
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Accessing Illinois Adoption Records
Illinois adoption records are sealed, though adoptees have access to their original birth certificates once they turn 21. However, birth parents can remove their names from these records if they want to remain anonymous.
Illinois offers other options for finding your birth relatives, but the process can be long and overwhelming. At Adopted.com, we know there’s a better way to learn about an adoption.
Our voluntary adoption reunion registry allows you to search for birth relatives quickly, without the red tape. We don’t make you fill out complicated forms or file a court order. You just need to answer ten easy questions that most people know about the adoption.
As the largest adoption reunion registry in the United States, Adopted.com can reconnect you with your biological family in Rockford, Marion, Chicago, or any other part of Illinois. Join Adopted.com today to make a reunion possible.
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12,603 Does Illinois Have Open Adoption Records?
No, Illinois has closed adoption records. In a closed state, records are confidential and inaccessible to the public. You need a court order to view adoption records or obtain copies of documents, with some exceptions.
How Long Are Adoption Records Sealed in Illinois?
Illinois seals adoption records permanently after an adoption is finalized. These records include the child’s original birth certificate and all related adoption documents. While these documents are not public record, some people can have Illinois adoption records unsealed in specific situations, including adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents.
How Do I Find Adoption Records in Illinois?
If you’re an adoptee or an adoptive parent in Illinois, you can obtain a court order to view your adoption records without showing good cause. In other words, you don’t need to prove you have a good reason to see the records. However, when you obtain the copy of the final adoption order, the birth parents’ names will be redacted or removed.
As an adoptee, you also have the option of obtaining your original birth certificate, which usually shows the birth parents’ names. However, if you were born after Jan. 1, 1946, your birth parents have the option to remove their names from this document. They can also remove other identifying information, such as their last known address and/or your last name at the time of your birth (if it’s the same as their name).
If you’re an adoptee in Illinois over age 21, you can request your original birth certificate by completing the form Request for a Non-Certified Copy of Original Birth Certificate. You will need to complete the form and provide a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. There’s a fee to obtain this record. Mail the form and payment to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in Springfield.
You can follow this same process to obtain an original birth certificate if you're the spouse, child, or grandchild of a deceased adoptee. The only difference is you need to have the form notarized. If you’re a birth parent, you can obtain a copy of your child’s original birth certificate by completing the form Birth Parent Request for a Non-Certified Copy of an Original Birth Certificate.
Does Illinois Have an Adoption Reunion Registry?
Yes, you can join the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange (IARMIE) if you want to learn more about an adoption. You can register with IARMIE if you’re:
- An adoptee who’s 21 or older
- An adoptive parent of a child younger than 21
- A birth parent
- The surviving relative of a deceased adoptee, such as an adult child or grandchild
- The surviving relative of a deceased birth parent, such as an adult child or sibling
- A legal guardian of an adopted child
To join, complete the IARMIE Application form and provide the required documentation. You also need to include a $15 registration fee payable to IDPH.
Once you join, you may receive contact information for a birth relative if they’ve also registered. You can also obtain medical information from biological relatives if they’ve voluntarily submitted it.
If you don’t find a family member through IARMIE, you can request a search through the Confidential Intermediary Service of Illinois. This program assigns you a confidential intermediary who can access Illinois adoption records to search for your birth relatives.
An intermediary can ask your relative if they want to have contact with you. If your relative agrees, the intermediary will arrange contact between you. However, an intermediary cannot give out names or contact information without a person’s written consent.
Let Adopted.com help you find your lost family today!
Adopted.com is a powerful adoption reunion registry designed to help you reconnect with your birth parents. By registering, you gain access to a growing database of over 1,185,531 profiles, increasing your chances of finding your biological relatives. The platform respects your privacy and allows you to update your profile anytime.
Registration is free, and the unique search tool ensures measurable match results. When you find your birth parents, remember to approach the reunion with an open heart and understanding, as it can be an emotionally significant experience for everyone involved.
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Illinois Who Chose To Be Featured
16. Moniluv : i am drastically searching birth family(any),just would like to know where i came from
17. Spencsm : I want to find my sibling whose mother is Gisela Karl Wiegand Hull of East Peoria and father is Michael Joseph of t Peoria, Illinois. I am the sister, Susan Wiegand Spencer, who would love to meet you and include you in my family forever. Birth year for my sister or brother would be around 1961/62/63 timeframe..
18. KIMCREED : I AM LOOKING FOR YOU TO SEE IF YOU HAD A GOOD LIFE I SURE HOPE SO YOUR AUNT KIM. Babyboy Arnold born in Peoria Illinois We was told that you was going to Chicago adopted parent dad was a lawyer mom was a school teacher. I just want to know you had a good life. Your birth could be sept 16 threw26th 1981
19. MarciaKay : I am a birth mother looking for my son who was put up for adoption in 1965
20. Futpres : Throughout my entire life, barely a week goes by that I do not wonder where I come from, who my parents are, what they look like, do I look like them, etc. People deserve to know their family roots, and to have the opportunity to get to know their family. I have had a good life, lovely adoptive parents who raised me, and I now have a wife and son of my own. The only thing missing for me is the answer to where I came from. I hold no hard feelings about my birth mother/parents giving me up for adoption, but I would like to meet her/them and have the chance to get to know more about her/them, and by extention, me.
21. Nadokathy : I was born in St. Teresa Hospital in Waukegan, IL
22. Shambone : Adoption through Catholic Charities
23. Hleonowitz : I am searching for my younger sister who was placed for adoption at birth. Birth parents are George and Felicia Andre. She was born at Evanston hospital in Evanston, IL. I am not certain of her name but she was called Sara or Sarah for legal purposes. She is my only full sibling (others are half-siblings) and I’m hoping she’ll consider connecting with me.
24. JANASTEVENSON : I AM now 51 YEARS OLD AND REALLY WANT TO FIND OUT SOMETHING ABOUT MY BIRTH FAMILY IF POSSIBLE. I AM HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES NOW, THAT I REALLY NEED RESOLVED. I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS, LONG AND HARD AND REALLY, REALLY NEED TO KNOW. ANY TYPE OF HELP, WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I ALSO UNDERSTAND AS PER MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE THAT I AM THE FIRST BORN OF TWINS AND I HAVE NO OTHER INFORMATION BESIDES THAT AND WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW ANYTHING AT ALL.
25. Lmorgan61910 : I am searching for my child that was born oct 29th 1971 the date could have been altered and place of birth my I was told my baby had died but we never got to see a baby ever i have been told sense that time by a nurse my baby didnt die in fact was very much a live and sold for adoption. . At the time at the baby was born I was 18 years old young devastated at the supposable death of my child my life had just ended. I did contact the funeral home they didn’t see a child the baby was wrapped in a waddling cotton they just laid the new set of clothes on top of the wrapped child supposably. The death certificate has the wrong Cemetery. My doctor would not let me out of the hospital to go to the funeral he didn’t release me until the day after. I was just devastated I didn’t tell after all the months I didn’t have anything to come on with I did know how to ask questions after all these years I’ve still looked and ask but no no questions answered of any kind I did find out the nurses name that was in the delivery room but when I went to contact her she had went to Florida on vacation which that’s where the doctor had moved to that was delivering by now he’s probably passed away by now. Baby’s name what’s Rodger Dale Walker born October 29th 1971.
26. Smm6791 : My son was given up for adoption and i tried to keep him but it was too late.
27. Amccullo2003 : Birth mother looking for adopted daughter. The name given on her birth certificate was Joy Jarelle Edwards. Born in Rush St Luke hospital Chicago IL
28. Velaurie : Their mom is Tabitha Francis Blankenbeckler/Watkins. Their grandma is Donna Jean Watkins. All siblings are Nichole Lea Marie Watkins‚ Lexus Joy Blankenbeckler‚ James Rodney Davis Blankenbeckler‚ Destini Ann Faith Blankenbeckler‚ Jasmin Marie Watkins.
29. Npeters18 : I want to find my biological parents and biological family. I was born October 9, 1986 in the Rockford, IL area.
30. Ccramer : I am searching for my Biological family, I was born in Rock Island IL May 7, 1962. I was named Judith Elaine Murphy at birth. My adoptive parents are charles and Joan Stsuduhar. If anyone knows anything that can help please let me know.
