Providing Adoptive Parents With Information About Adoptees and Their Birth Families - Illinois

Date: August 2020

Agency or Person Preparing the Report

Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 750 § 50/18.4

The written report shall be prepared by any of the following:

  • The agency
  • The Department of Children and Family Services
  • Court Supportive Services, Juvenile Division of the Circuit Court
  • The Probation Officers of the Circuit Court involved in the adoption proceedings

Contents of Report About the Adopted Person

Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 750 § 50/18.4a

To the extent currently in possession of the agency, the medical and mental health histories of the child and of the birth parents, with information identifying the birth parents deleted, shall be provided to the child's prospective adoptive parent. The medical and mental health histories shall include all the following available information:

  • Conditions or diseases believed to be hereditary
  • Drugs or medications taken by the child's birth mother during pregnancy
  • Psychological and psychiatric information
  • Any other information that may be a factor influencing the child's present or future health

Contents of Report About the Birth Family

Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 750 § 50/18.4

The following nonidentifying information, if known, shall be given to the adoptive parents:

  • The ages of the birth parents
  • The races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds of the birth parents
  • The general physical appearances of the birth parents
  • The education, occupations, hobbies, interests, and talents of the birth parents
  • The existence of any other children born to the birth parents
  • Information about birth grandparents
  • The reason the birth parents emigrated to the United States, if applicable, and the countries of origin
  • The relationship of the birth parents
  • Detailed medical and mental health histories of the child, the birth parents, and their immediate relatives
  • The actual date and place of birth of the adopted child
  • The reason or reasons the birth parent or parents stated for placing the child for adoption
  • How and why the adoptive parent or parents were selected and who selected the adoptive parent or parents
  • Whether the birth parent or parents requested or agreed to postadoption contact with the child at the time of placement, and, if so, the frequency and type of contact

When the Report Is Made

Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 750, §§ 50/18; 50/18.4

Nonidentifying information about the birth family, to the extent known, shall be given to the adoptive parents no later than the date of placement.

Medical and mental health histories of the child shall be provided to the child's prospective adoptive parent and shall be provided upon request to an adoptive parent when a child has been adopted.

Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions

Citation: Comp. Stat. Ch. 750, § 50/6

An investigation shall not be made when the petitioner seeks to adopt a related child or an adult unless the court, in its discretion, shall so order. In such an event the court may appoint a person deemed competent by the court.

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