Adoption Searches

If our Agency facilitated your adoption, we have your records and can assist you with the Search & Reunion process.

The Search & Reunion process for Birthparents and Adoptees completes the adoption life-cycle. Although not everyone desires to be reunited, many choose to search for the following reasons

• To learn of family heritage
• To attain updated family medical history not received at birth
• To bring closure to unanswered questions
• To resolve issues of loss and grief
• To extend family and create positive relationships

You may choose to receive Non-Identifying Information. This includes legally releasable social and medical history found in our Agency file. There may be a fee charged for pulling and copying records, redacting identifying information, and/or compiling a narrative from microfilm documents.

A Search can be conducted in hopes of receiving updated social and medical history since the adoption. We can also conduct a Search in hopes of a reunification. There may be a fee charged to cover the cost of things like internet searching, letter writing, postage, and phone calls. It is important to remember that for various reasons, some people choose not to be involved in the Search & Reunion process. Caring staff are available to support and guide you through the process.

Your First Step: register with the Illinois Adoption Registry in Springfield, Illinois. You may download registry forms from the following Web site.

To update your contact information, receive a Search & Reunion packet, or to forward correspondence to any member of the Adoption Triad, send email to Adoption Searches, or please call one of our regional offices.

If you think you may have been adopted through the foster care system, you may contact the Midwest Adoption Center for assistance at: www.macadopt.org

Requesting a Non-Certified Copy of an Original Birth Certificate
On May 21, 2010, Gov. Pat Quinn signed House Bill 5428, which makes it possible for an adult adoptee to obtain a non-certified copy of his or her original birth certificate under certain circumstances. To review the bill provisions and to make a request visit: www.idph.state.il.us and click on the Illinois Adoption Registry box to the left.