Illinois Searching Resources

Welcome to the Search and Reunion Message Board!Note: The State of Illinois has a “Confidential Intermediary” search program that will locate and contact birth relatives.Using a confidential intermediary:Adopted adults 18 or older and adoptive parents of an adoptee younger than 18 may use the confidential intermediary service. The State of Illinois or the adoption agency that handled your adoption will provide this service. Be aware that the person that is contacted has the right to decline contact and if that happens you will not be given any contact or identifying information to contact them yourself.Contact the adoption agency that facilitated the adoption or the office below:

State of IllinoisConfidential Intermediary Service 3158 Des Plaines River RoadSuite 120Des Plaines, IL 60018(847) 298-9096; (847) 298-9097(847) 298-9097 (fax)ILLINOIS EXPANDS ABILITY OF ALL PARTIES TO USE INTERMEDIARY PROGRAM Effective January 1, 2004, adopted people 21 and older and adoptive parents can obtain a court-appointed confidential intermediary without proving medical or psychological cause, as they had to under the old law in Illinois. Additionally, birth parents now will be permitted to participate in the intermediary program once the children they placed reach age 21. All parties can access the intermediary program for the purpose of exchanging medical information, obtaining identifying information or arranging contact with mutually consenting biological relatives. Previously, intermediaries could only seek medical information from biological relatives. Provided a "sought-after relative" has not filed a Denial of Information Exchange, the confidential intermediary will inform such relatives of the petitioner's request and of their options. The law also allows adult adoptees access to non-identifying information on original birth certificates and the "actual date and place of birth."Other Resources in Illinois: For adoption related information and records: Illinois Department of Children and Family ServicesDivision of Foster Care and Permanency Services406 East Monroe Street, Station 25Springfield, IL 62701-1498(217) 524-2422Fax: (217) 524-3966 Obtaining Non-Identifying Information: For private adoptions, an adopted adult may obtain non-identifying information. For adoptions facilitated through the State Department of Child and Family Services, adopted adults, birth parents, and adoptive parents may receive non-identifying information.Obtaining Identifying Information: Identifying information is provided through an Adoption Registry.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. *Note: This rule does not apply for non-relinquished birth siblings looking for a relinquished birth sibling if the birth parents are living and do not give their permission. However, if the birth parents are deceased a non-relinquished sibling can use the registry once they provide the registry with copies of the death certificates of the birth parents. Contact:Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange (IARMIE)Department of Public HealthDivision of Vital Records535 West Jefferson StreetSpringfield, IL 62761(217) 557-5159 or toll-free in Illinois (877) 323-5299Website for downloading forms: [url=http://www.idph.state.il.us/vital/iladoptreg.htm]Illinois Adoption Registry[/url] Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate: An adoptee may receive through the registry or petition the court in which the adoption was finalized.Other great websites to check out:[url=http://www.adoptionchat.com]Adoption.com Forums[/url][url=http://www.adoptionlists.com]Adoption Lists - Photolistings, Support Groups, Mailing Lists - Agency, Exchange, Failed, Feel, Find[/url][url=http://www.adoption.com]Adoption.com - Information on International, Domestic, Child & Agency Adoptions, Stories, Laws -[/url][url=http://www.adopting.org]Adopting - Adopt a Baby, Child, Infants, Kids, Older, Services, International, Information China -[/url] [url=http://registry.adoption.com/]Adoption Registry - Records, Reunion Registries, Adoptees, Search Reunite[/url]