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I recently found out about the new law regarding Illinois adoptees obtaining original birth certificates. I ordered mine and it came today. Under the section for father there are notes for age (23) and race (White). All other information is missing.
I know that part of the Illinois law allows birth parents to request their information not be disclosed. Is there a way that I can tell whether there was no information for my birth father on the original certificate or whether he requested that his information not be released? I know that usually the certificate will say unknown or something similar when there is no father identified, so I suspect my birth father opted to have his information withheld.
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It isn't quite that simple and is more dependent on the year/era you were born in, and Illinois state laws at the time. Fathers were not listed on a birth certificate if the child was illegitimate because by law they were not required to support the child.
I believe most states did not allow an unwed father to be listed on the birth certificate (although I am sure there were exceptions) until the early 70's. My OBC from a different state did not allow my father to be listed when I was born illegitimate, but my court files (court ordered) detailed him by name/residence/age/religion/schooling so he was known and my mother provided the details.
My best guess 1) Illinois would have advised you that he had asked for his name to be removed (a form of some type pretty sure the law was written to ensure that) 2) he wasn't unknown, but by law not allowed to be on the OBC - but because they collected statistics federally his age was listed.
Remember these are just guesses.
It's pretty amazing to open the envelope and see what you have been denied all your life. Savor it...
Kind regards,
Dickons
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Joseph, I'm also an Illinois adoptee, and that is exactly what was on my birth certificate, too.
My father's age (23) and his name was missing.
I contacted the department, and they told me exactly what Dickons told you.
BTW, I found both on my parents, and my father is the one who is interested in having a relationship with me.