How to Change Names on Birth Certificates for Adopted Children in Illinois
Changing the name of a child on a birth certificate as the result of an adoption is a simple process in Illinois. Illinois is a closed-adoption state, so once the birth certificate has been changed, the original is placed in a sealed file along with the adoption order and cannot be accessed without a court order.
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Things You'll Need
- Certified copy of the adoption decree
- Date of birth of adoptive parents
- Place of birth of adoptive parents
- Documentation of Social Security number of adoptive parents
- Complete address of the adoptive mother at the time of baby's birth
Instructions
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Obtain a certified copy of the certificate of adoption or adoption decree. Document the adoptive parents' date of birth, place of birth, Social Security numbers and the address of the adoptive mother at the time of the birth of the child. Some or all of this information may already be contained in the adoption decree.
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Submit all documents with a check for $15 (as of 2010) to:
Department of Vital Records
605 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62702-5097 -
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Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health Vital Records to verify the fee has been received two weeks after mailing it in. Expect to receive the new birth certificate from six to 12 weeks after all of the information has been submitted.
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Tips & Warnings
Direct any questions to the adoption unit of the vital records department. It can be reached by phone at 217-782-6554 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
References
- Photo Credit baby image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
