Mutual Consent

Below are two ways for members of the adoption triad to reconnect through mutual consent.

1. Illinois Adoption Registry
Complete forms through the Illinois Adoption Registry. If a birth parent and an adopted person are both registered with the Illinois Adoption Registry it is possible for that service to provide identifying information on one another.

2. St. Mary’s Services
If you would like to search for a birth relative, identifying information can be exchanged by mutual consent, which requires a signed release of information (read further for links to forms) by involved parties. St. Mary’s will file your completed forms and if the other party requests contact, a counselor from the agency will contact you to discuss initial contact. To note, the amount of information available in agency records depends on how long the birth parent(s) worked with St. Mary’s, the year in which the adoption occurred and the contact history since the time of the adoption.

Please follow the instructions below to help us provide the best possible assistance to you.
Complete the Post Adoption Services Request Form. This form needs to be completed in full if possible. This form will assist us in maintaining the information in your agency file, while providing us with specific contact instructions.

The Information Exchange Authorization Release Form needs to be signed in the presence of a notary public. By completing this form, you are letting St. Mary’s know that you are open to contact with a birth relative. If this is not your intention, it is not necessary to complete or return this form. However, if you choose not to have contact then it is recommended you complete The Denial of Information Disclosure. This form needs to be completed in full and signed in the presence of a notary public.

Please photocopy a driver’s license or other photo identification and mail it with the completed forms that pertain to you to:

St. Mary’s Services
717 West Kirchhoff Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

The fee for medical/social background information is $100, payable to St. Mary’s Services by either personal or certified check. Fees are subject to change depending on the type of services requested.

We will make every effort to respond to your request as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. Remember to keep St. Mary’s aware of any changes in your address or contact information.