Family & Safety

The Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange is a program administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health.  Certain people can register with this program and allow or prohibit the release of information related to past adoptions.  For example, medical information can be given anonymously.

A person can request information from the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange if they are:

• An immediate birth family member of an adopted person or of the birth parent(s) of an adopted person,
• Adoptive parents or legal guardians of an adopted person under 21 years old,
• Adopted persons or persons whose birth parents' parental rights were terminated, and who are over 21 years of age,
• Surviving spouses of an adopted person, or
• Adult children of a deceased adopted person.  

If the adoption was handled by an agency, any person described above can also contact the agency to request information. If the agency is no longer operating, a person can engage a Confidential Intermediary (CI) to obtain a report with non-identifying information.

If the adopted person was previously under the care of the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) (if they were a ward of the state or DCFS handled the adoption), they may be able to obtain information from DCFS or the Midwest Adoption Center.  They can also ask for help locating someone from whom they were separated due to placement through DCFS.

A Confidential Intermediary (CI) is a certified individual who obtains legal access to Illinois vital records, adoption court files, and any adoption agency files.  They can provide a way for those involved in a past adoption to connect or learn more information.  They can search through records about the adoption. When the CI finds the person, they will help both sides agree on contact. Both sides have a right to keep their names secret. Direct contact will not happen unless both sides agree.

The Midwest Adoption Center, a nonprofit organization, administers the Confidential Intermediary Service of Illinois through a contract with the Department of Child and Family Services.

In order to get a CI, a person must first register with the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange. Then, the person must petition a court to assign a CI.