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About IDPH

Illinois Adoption Registry Statistics

Last Updated:

4/2019

NOTE: IDPH estimates there are about 400,000 Illinois birth records that have been amended based on an adoption proceeding and the adopted person is now 21 years of age or older. These records would now reflect the adopted name and parents.

Total number of registrants 19,337
Total number of matches

1,526
   
Registrants by category to the Illinois Registry and Medical Information Exchange program between 1985 and 6/2017 wishing to exchange contact and/or medical information.  
Adoptees

12,178
Birth Mothers 4,526
Birth Fathers

724
Siblings 509
Adoptive Parents

667
Adult Children of Deceased Adoptee 637
Spouses of Deceased Adoptee

14
Birth Aunts

49
Birth Uncles

16
Adult Grandchild of Deceased Adoptee

14
Parent(s)s of Deceased Birth Parent 3
Since the enactment of PA 96-0895 in May 2010, the Illinois Department of Public Health has issued the following non-certified original birth records to adopted persons or their surviving relatives:
Original birth records issued as filed

17,886
Original birth records issued with identifying information removed 104
Original birth records not located / No record statements issued

337
   
The same law provided for a birth parent preference packet to be completed allowing birth parents to select their preferences. The following are updated statistics:
Birth parents who agreed to release the complete original birth record

798
Birth parents who requested identifying information be removed before release

485
Birth parents who filed medical questionnaires to be released

1,023
   
Since the effective date of PA 98-0704, January 1, 2015, the Illinois Department of Public Health has issued the following non-certified original birth records to birth parents:
Birth parent requesting record is listed on original birth certificate – Records issued

296
Birth parent requesting record is not listed on original birth certificate – No record statements issued

3