How does a person go about finding their birth parents?

First, you have to be 25 or older.

Go to the county where you were born.

Ask a judge to unseal your birth records.

Now the bad news, the judge has to agree you have no ill will towards your birth family,
and the birth family must also give their consent to be contacted.

I have no idea. Good luck, though.

Good luck. If you need any help… well… you know

Based on where you live according to your profile, and assuming your adoption was finalized in the same state in which you live now:

“Illinois is a closed state regarding adoptions. Therefore, once an adoption is completed, the original birth record with the biological parents listed and the certificate of adoption or adoption decree will become part of a sealed file. A certified copy of a court order from the same court that originally granted the adoption is required to open the sealed file. This court order has to direct the Illinois Department of Public Health to open the sealed adoption file. The court order must state what is to be copied, how many copies are to be made and to whom the copies are to be sent. There is no fee for this service. To locate a birth record, staff need to know the following:

* complete name after adoption
* complete name before adoption
* date of birth
* place of birth

To have an original birth record placed back on file as your legal birth certificate requires a certified copy of a court order to vacate the adoption. The court order must come from the same court that originally granted the adoption. The court order must direct Illinois Department of Public Health to vacate the adoption and reinstate the original birth record. To locate the birth record, staff need to know the following:

* complete name after adoption
* complete name before adoption
* date of birth
* place of birth

Please note: Processing time for records amended by adoption, that contain the appropriate fee and all necessary information, is between 6 and 12 weeks from the date the request is received.

The adoptions’ unit is available to answer telephone inquiries Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling 217–782-6554. Tuesday and Thursday are devoted to processing requests. The adoptions’ unit is available for walk-in customers Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 605 W. Jefferson St. in Springfield.”

From http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/adoption_faq.htm#1

In addition, a more passive method would be to register with the IARMIE (Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange) on the chance that a member or members of your birth family have also registered.

“The IARMIE, which was established by the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50), provides a means for certain individuals involved in an adoption in Illinois to locate other people involved in the adoption. Persons who were adopted or surrendered for adoption, their birth parents, non-surrendered birth siblings, adoptive parents, legal guardians, sisters or brothers of deceased birth parents, adult children of deceased adopted or surrendered persons and spouses of adopted persons with a minor child may file their consent to exchange information with others involved in the adoption. If done in compliance with the law, information may be exchanged without the need for a court order.

What information may be exchanged?

Information that may be exchanged includes the name and last known address, a copy of the IARMIE application form, a copy of the original birth certificate, medical information, and any written statements and photographs that have been filed.

What should I do if I want my or my child’s identity protected?

The IARMIE cannot release any identifying information about a person without consent. You may choose not to register or to file a Denial of Information Exchange Form. Either choice prohibits the release of your identity but can still allow the filing and exchange of potentially vital medical information in certain instances.

Who may register with the IARMIE?

Registration is available to the following individuals:

* birth parents;
* non-surrendered brothers and sisters over age 21 of those who were adopted or surrendered for adoption and a common parent is deceased;
* adopted or surrendered persons age 21 or older;
* adoptive parents of adopted individuals under age 21; or
* legal guardians of adopted or surrendered persons.
* surviving sister or brother of a deceased birth parent
* surviving adult child of a deceased adopted person
* surviving spouse of a deceased adopted person with a minor child

What is required for the release of information?

Both parties to the exchange of information must consent to the release and must provide enough information about their identities and known circumstances to the adoption or surrender so that the registry can determine that a “match” exists. For example, a woman who gave up her baby for adoption 30 years ago and who wants to locate her child must file her consent with the registry, and the child also must file consent with the registry. If only the mother or only the child files with the IARMIE, no information can be exchanged through the IARMIE.

Is there a fee for the IARMIE?

Yes. The fee to file with the IARMIE is $40. However, the fee will be waived if the person filing also completes and files a Medical Information Exchange Questionnaire and consents to its release to other people involved in the adoption. There is no fee to update the registration of any person who filed with the registry that existed before January 1, 2000. ”

Also from the above web site.

That’s a lot more than I had to go through, but I did it in 1980 in Illinois.

I guess things have changed. Took me three days, and there were no fees.

@DrBill: I believe all of this IARMIE stuff started in 1999 so you missed it. And there isn’t a fee if you do both the registry and the medical information form.

I’m glad I missed it