Frequently Asked Questions
Many people who begin using The Cradle's Post Adoption Services have questions about the kind of information we can provide. We hope that the answers below provide a few answers. If you still have a question, feel free to contact us.
- Can The Cradle give me the name of my birth relative?
- How can I get a copy of my birth certificate?
- Why does The Cradle charge fees for post adoption services?
- I’m a relative of an adopted person or birth parent. Can I access information?
- Can I get information on both of my birth parents?
- What if I find out my birth relative is deceased?
- What if I'm not sure I was adopted through The Cradle?
- What if I change my mind about wanting to be contacted; can I remove myself from the Registry?
- I still have unanswered questions, can you help
Can The Cradle give me the name of my birth relative? Illinois law does not allow The Cradle to release identifying information, including names, of birth relatives without consent from that person. Additionally, The Cradle is unable to confirm, or deny the names of birth parents even if you have adoption paperwork or an Original Birth Certificate that includes such information. We do offer our Mutual Consent Registry and Search Services.
How can I get a copy of my birth certificate? At the time of the adoption, the Original Birth Certificate is sealed and an amended birth certificate is issued with the adoptive parents' names and the new name of the adopted person. You can obtain this amended document through Vital Records in the county or state in which you were born. www.vitalrec.com For adopted person's born in Illinois and over the age of 21, a non-certified copy of an Original Birth Certificate can be requested through the Illinois Adoption Registry. The ability of an adult adopted or surrendered person born on or after January 1, 1946, to obtain identifying information listed on their original birth certificate may depend on whether his or her birth parents have filed forms with the Illinois Adoption Registry stating a preference regarding the release of their identity. For more detailed information go to The New Illinois Adoption Law site
- Cook County Clerk’s Office of Vital Records 118 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60664-2570 or call (312) 603-7790 (recorded message)
- Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records Attn: Illinois Adoption Registry 925 E. Ridgeley Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737 217-782-6554
Where do I begin? Can you send me the paperwork? All of our forms are available on this website in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view and print these forms. If you would prefer to receive a post adoption packet by mail instead of using our online directions and forms, please contact us and we will mail a packet to you.
How long will it take once I send in the forms Once your paperwork is received and processed for completeness, we will contact you to provide confirmation of receipt, indicating whether additional items are needed, or giving you an estimation of when you will hear from the social worker.
Why does The Cradle charge fees for post adoption services? Fees help cover the professional time required for accessing records, conducting searches, preparing documents in accordance with the law, and providing appropriate social services. Our fees are similar to those of other area agencies offering these services. They are not intended to act as a deterrent to receiving services. If you have questions about the fees, please contact us and include your questions in the comments section.
I’m a relative of an adopted person or birth parent. Can I access information? In the event that the adopted person or birth parent is deceased, you may be able to request Background Information and services to make contact. In addition to the required information, you will need to send proof of your relationship to the adopted person or birth parent and verification of your relative's death. If you have any questions about eligibility, please submit the Post Adoption Inquiry Form and include your questions in the comment section.
Can I get information on both of my birth parents? We will most often have information on birth mothers, however the amount of information varies based on the era in which the adoption occurred. Information on birth fathers may be contained in our records, however the amount of information depends on if he was directly involved with us in planning for your adoption.
What if I find out my birth relative is deceased? On occasion, when a birth relative passes away, another family member will contact The Cradle to share this information. Should the other person contact us and request services, the death of the relative is shared. Should we discover that a birth relative is deceased through a Search, we can then search for descendants or closest next of kin of that person.
What if I’m not sure if I was adopted through The Cradle? There are a couple of different ways to determine which agency was involved in your adoption. Often, adoptive parents can be the best source of information about your adoption. If you believe you may have been adopted through The Cradle, you may complete the Post Adoption Inquiry Form and we'll check our records on your behalf. Your submission must include your name, date of birth and your adoptive parents' names. If your adoption was international you may also want to request information from the US based placement agency that assisted with your adoption.
What if I change my mind about wanting to be contacted; can I remove myself from the Registry? Yes, however, you must complete and submit to The Cradle an updated Information Exchange Authorization form to replace the original.
I still have unanswered questions, can you help? We are happy to answer any additional questions you have if you cannot find the answers on our website. Please contact us
CONNECT WITH THE CRADLE
Contact The Cradle's post adoption services department.
