Access to Adoption Records

Who May Access Information
Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 750, §§ 50/18.1; 50/18.4

The following persons may apply to the Illinois Adoption Registry:

• Either birth parent
• If the birth parent is deceased, the adoptee's adult birth sibling or a birth aunt or birth uncle
• Any adult adoptee or any adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adoptee under age 21
• If the adoptee is deceased, any surviving spouse or adult child
• Any adoptive parent or legal guardian of a deceased adult adoptee

Nonidentifying information may be provided to the adoptive parents, the adoptee, or legal guardian who is a registrant of the Illinois Adoption Registry.

Access to Nonidentifying Information
Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 750, § 50/18.4

The adoptive parents shall receive in writing the following nonidentifying information, if known, not later than the date of placement of the child:

• The birth parents' age
• The birth parents' race, religion, and ethnic background
• The general physical appearance of the birth parents
• The birth parents' education, occupation, hobbies, interests, and talents
• The existence of any other children born to the birth parents
• Information about birth grandparents, their reason for emigrating into the United States, if applicable, and country of origin
• The relationship between the birth parents
• Detailed medical and mental health histories of the child, the birth parents, and their immediate relatives
• The actual date and place of birth of the adoptee

No information provided under this subsection shall disclose the name or last known address of the birth parents, grandparents, the siblings of the birth parents, the adoptee, or any other relative of the adoptee.

Any adoptee age 18 or older shall be given the information listed above upon request.

The Illinois Adoption Registry shall release any nonidentifying information above that appears on the certified copy of the original birth certificate or the Certificate of Adoption to an adoptee, adoptive parent, or legal guardian who is a registrant of the Illinois Adoption Registry.


Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 750, §§ 50/18.1; 50/18.3a

The Department of Public Health shall establish and maintain a Registry for the purpose of providing identifying information to mutually consenting members of birth and adoptive families. Identifying information shall include one or more of the following:

• The name and last known address of the consenting person
• A copy of the Illinois Adoption Registry Application of the consenting person
• A copy of the original birth certificate of the adoptee

Each registrant may indicate whether exchange of information is authorized or denied. Written authorization from all parties must be received prior to disclosure of any identifying information. If information is disclosed, the department shall redact it to remove any identifying information about any party who has not consented to the disclosure of identifying information. Any other disclosure of information requires a court order.

Any adult adoptee, adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adopted minor, or birth parent of an adult adoptee may petition the court for appointment of a confidential intermediary for the purpose of exchanging medical information, obtaining identifying information, or arranging contact with one or more mutually consenting birth relatives.

Beginning 1-1-2006, any adult adoptee, adoptive parent or legal guardian of a minor adoptee, any birth parent, sibling, aunt, or uncle of an adult adoptee, or any surviving child, adoptive parent, or surviving spouse of a deceased adoptee who wishes to petition the court for the appointment of a confidential intermediary shall be required to accompany their petition with proof of registration with the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange.

Access to Original Birth Certificate
Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 750, § 50/18.05; Ch. 410, § 535/17

For adoptions finalized after 1-1-2000, a copy of the original birth certificate is provided through the adoption registry.

For adoptions finalized prior to 1-1-2000, the original birth certificate is available only upon a court order or as provided by regulation.

Where the Information Can Be Located

Illinois Adoption Registry, Illinois Department of Public Health

Contact:

Confidential Intermediary Service
3158 Des Plaines River Road
Suite 120
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 298-9096
http://www.ci-illinois.org

Using the Adoption Registry:

Birth parents, adopted adults 21 or older, adopted adults younger than 21 with the consent of their adoptive parents, and birth siblings 21 or older may use the registry. Adoptive parents, adopted adults, birth parents, and birth siblings may exchange updated medical information throughout the life of the adopted adult. The registry also may act as an intermediary if either party does not want to be contacted. All parties also may exchange pictures and written statements through the registry.

Contact:

Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange (IARMIE)
Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761
(217) 557-5159 or toll-free in Illinois (877) 323-5299
http://www.idph.state.il.us/vital/iladoptreg.htm

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)

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