"I would recommend open adoption and communication with birth parents without hesitation," says Caryn. "In the long term, its ithe best thing for my son."
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Search & Reunion Services

Background

  • Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) believes that adoption is a lifelong experience, and all of the persons involved in adoption – the birthparents, adoptive parents and adopted person – are forever bound together.
  • LSSI further believes that openness in adoption is a continuum and that the degree of openness in each adoption is determined by mutual consent of those involved.
  • For adopted persons under the age of 21, the adoptive parents must consent to any contact.
  • At the time of adoptive placement, Illinois law requires that non-identifying background information about the birthparents is disclosed to the adoptive parents. This was not always the case; for adoptions finalized before this law went into effect, LSSI is happy to provide non-identifying information. The fee for this service is $100.
  • Any disclosure by LSSI of identifying information about the child, birthparents or adoptive parents can only be done with informed, written consent.

Communication Services at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

  • Many birth parents and adoptive parents decide to remain in direct contact after the adoptive placement. In these cases, they agree to the type of contact and facilitate it on their own.
  • Other times, the birthparents and/or the adoptive parents would like to stay in contact, but would prefer to have LSSI assist them. In these instances, LSSI will serve as an intermediary for ongoing communication after the adoption.
  • This means that birthparents and adoptive families may send letters, photos, cards or gifts to LSSI to be forwarded to the other party.
  • To learn more about this service, please call Mary Wake at 309/671-0300 or e-mail Mary.Wake@LSSI.org

Search and Reunion Services at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

  • Search and reunion services are provided at the mutual consent of those involved.
  • LSSI staff members are sensitive to the feelings of those involved in adoption-related searches. Support and consultation are available to anyone considering an adoption-related search. If you are not sure whether you want to conduct a search, LSSI is happy to talk with you about it.
  • Adopted persons under the age of 18 may receive non-identifying information with their adoptive parents’ written permission. Adoptees between the ages of 18 and 21 can request non-identifying information without the permission of their adoptive parents. The fee for supplying non-identifying information is $100.
  • Legal adults (adopted persons who are age 21 or older, birthparents whose birth child is over 21 years of age, adoptive parents of minor adopted children or other birth relatives as defined by the Illinois Adoption Act) can search for another member of the adoption triad.
  • A request for a search must be in writing to LSSI. Search services for the release of identifying information are prohibited until the person making the request has registered with the Illinois Adoption Registry. LSSI can provide information about how to do this.
  • Identifying information discovered via a search process will not be disclosed without the written consent of the
    person(s) involved.
  • The initial fee is $200 (for two hours of search services) and must be paid in advance. Additional time is billed at $100 per hour.
  • To learn more about this service, please call Mary Wake at 309/671-0300 or e-mail Mary.Wake@LSSI.org

CHANGE TO ILLINOIS ADOPTION LAW:

ADOPTED PERSONS ALLOWED ACCESS TO THEIR ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES

A new law allows adopted adults who are born in Illinois to request non-certified copies of their original birth certificates.

  • Adopted adults born before January 1, 1946, may now obtain non-certified copies of their original birth certificates upon written request.
  • Adopted adults born after January 1, 1946, (now older than age 21) will be able to request copies of their original birth certificates beginning November 15, 2011.
  • Requests for an original birth certificate may be made by filing a form with the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange.
  • Birth parents of adopted persons who were born after January 1, 1946, may request that their names be removed from copies of the original birth certificate during their lifetime by filling out a form with the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange.
  • All birth parents may share background information or indicate a desire for contact though the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange.

For more details or to download application forms, go to www.newillinoisadoptionlaw.com or www.idph.state.il/us/vitalrecords/adoptioninfo.htm, or call 877/323-5299 (toll free).