Legislation has been introduced in Illinois to allow most adult adoptees to obtain a copy of their original birth certificates (OBC). If it becomes law, Illinois would have a system for adoptees to request their OBC with some variations depending on when the adoptee was born. Birth parents would be able to indicate whether their own identifying information should be removed from the OBC before the adult adoptee receives a copy and/or register their preference regarding contact with their adult birth son or daughter.

This important legislation, introduced on March 10 by Representative Sara Feigenholtz, is the result of collaboration by agencies and individuals within the Illinois adoption community including Midwest Adoption Center (MAC), the agency that delivers Confidential Intermediary Service of Illinois (CISI). MAC supports this effort to develop a system in which adult adopted persons can receive a copy of their original birth certificate.

The copy of the OBC will probably include the name of the adoptee at birth and the name of at least one birth parent as it was at the time of the birth of the adoptee. It may also include some other information about the birth parent such as place of birth and address at the time of the birth. The document will NOT include the birth parent’s current name or location. The document will NOT contain medical information. Services available through CISI will be modified as necessary to meet the needs of adult adoptees who have a copy of their OBC but would like help to locate their birth relatives.

For a summary of the legislation that has been introduced or to review the progress of the bill, click here.