Outreach and Connection

If a match is not made through The Cradle Registry, clients may request a Search for their birth relative. The Cradle provides services in an ethical and respectful manner, and the confidentiality of all parties is maintained. If a relative is open to contact, The Cradle can act as intermediary, exchanging letters and photos, until both parties feel comfortable with direct contact. Illinois adoption law requires that a person requesting a search for a biological relative through a private agency like The Cradle must first be registered with the Illinois Adoption Registry

Basic Search
All searches begin with a Basic Search. A Basic Search utilizes the information available in The Cradle's records and Internet search engines to try to locate current contact information for your birth relative. If current contact information is located, an outreach is made to your birth relative and ongoing support for developing a relationship is provided to all parties. When current contact information is not located through a Basic Search, people often choose to upgrade to an Extended Search. The Cradle will advise you on the need for this. Get Started

Extended Search
An Extended Search goes beyond the information available in the record and the use of the Internet. Often this includes extensive research of demographic, historical, archival, and genealogical records, both public and private. If we discover your birth relative is deceased, we will look for the closest next of kin. Once contact information is located, an outreach is made to your birth relative and ongoing support for developing a relationship is provided to all parties.Get Started

Reconnection
Sometimes, people who were in contact through an open or semi-open adoption, or a successful Search facilitated by The Cradle, lose touch. One avenue of trying to reconnect is for The Cradle to attempt to locate current contact information through the use of Internet search engines and then make an outreach to your birth relative, or your child’s birth relative. Please contact us for additional information and to see if this service is applicable for you.

Important Information About Timing and Outcomes
Our fees, regardless of outcome are non-refundable. The time it takes to locate and connect with a birth relative can vary from a few weeks to more than a year. Although we are often able to locate the person we are seeking, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful. Additionally, Illinois adoption law does not allow The Cradle to release or confirm names and/or other identifying information without written consent.

Read some of the stories our clients have shared with us about their searches and reunions. If you would like to share your reunion story with The Cradle, please contact us.