[LolaMia]

I've just applied for my original birth certificate from the state of Illinois, because as of 15 Nov 2011 I am eligible to receive a copy of it. Has anyone done this and know how long this could take?

Thanks!

[Sublimegirl19]

I also sent my form in! Mailed it on the 14th. My check hasn't been cashed but I'm keeping an eye out. I'd love to know if others have gotten theirs yet!

[201156]

I tried to apply for my original birth certificate but they would not send it to me because my birthmother did not consent! Because it has Identifying information they are not allowed to give it out in the state of PA without consent! Please let me know if you receive it

[LolaMia]

I'm worried that they'll automatically reject my request, because it probably arrived before November 15. I mailed it from abroad and sent it in early November, unsure of when exactly it would arrive. I'm pretty sure it arrived early, and I read online that you can only apply for your original BC after November 15. I know sometimes they're incredibly strict and tend to not care that there's someone waiting for that document! I check everyday to see if my check has been cashed, though. Nothing yet

[Dickons]

Hi Lola,

I don't believe they will deny it if it was received before the date. They just won't start processing the requests until the date. I would guess they probably have hundreds if not thousands of requests.

It would cause them more work to reject applications than it would simply to hold until able to process it.


Kind regards,
Dickons

[Sublimegirl19]

I was told by someone from the White Oak Foundation that any forms received before the 15th were not going to be valid. Which seems really unfair. But, I guess the law is the law, and its up to the state how it's carried out.

I mailed mine on the evening of the 14th. My check hasn't been cashed either. Its been two weeks and I am wondering just how many they got on the first day? I read somewhere that they only received 350 in the first 2 days, but if they were mailed on the 14/15, that number probably doesn't reflect the mailed forms.

Has anyone heard anything about the number of forms received?

[Dickons]

Adoptee Requests for Original Birth Certificates Accepted for the First Time Tomorrow

It does not say they will reject forms received before the date and doesn't say they will honor them either. They do say over 2,000 have contacted them.

There are phone/fax/email at the bottom of the page. If you are unsure if you need to resubmit ask them.

I would assume there is already a back log.

Kind regards,
Dickons

[Sublimegirl19]

I attended a webinar put on by the White Oak Foundation, hosted by Melisha Mitchell who worked closely with State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz on the bill. She told us that the IDPH told her that they would be rejecting any forms received before the 15th, but that the postmark had no impact. It is when it physically gets there.

She also said that the IDPH told her that they could process about 200 forms a week. So that puts us at about 10 weeks for 2,000 forms. Melisha told us though that the state likes to inflate numbers, and the number they will receive will probably be closer to 1,000 forms.

According to Melisha about 350 birth parents had requested their names be redacted, some had sent along medical information, and no 2 birth parents of one child had BOTH requested to have their names taken off. Of course we know that many birthmothers did not name the father, but its good information to know.

As always, never rely 100% on what others say, YMMV and all that. Who knows how this will all end up panning out, I'm excited to see what happens for everyone!

[LolaMia]

The possibility that they'll reject forms received before 15 November is something I read about after mailing my form. I live abroad and had no clue the rules. If that's true, which it appears it is, then they're being huge jerks about the entire situation. This is something that is actually incredibly important to many of us and to reject someone's application seems unfair. I've had to the form since January and have been waiting to mail it! I'm not surprised, as I worked for the state briefly and everyone there seemed to have an "I don't care" attitude. Why not hold on to forms received early and process them once the 15th arrives? I guess it's the law. I'll just see if my cheque ever gets cashed and wait to see if anyone here gets their original BC.

Best of luck to everyone! Make sure to keep us updated.

[srur54a]

Sent in my info and check on Nov 14. As of 12/2 not heard anything. I will keep people posted when I receive mine. Post when if you get anything back. Just called and as of today they were saying 4-6 weeks.

[Sublimegirl19]

4-6 weeks isn't bad! That means we all should be getting them back before 2012! My check hasn't been cashed yet. Man, they must have gotten a TON. I wish we could find out how many they recieved.

[kmalon4]

I sent mine in the morning of November 15th. I called a week later and she said that they had over 3,000 requests and she had no idea how long it would take, I'm glad someone at least has a number for us now. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been eagerly checking their mail every day....

[Sublimegirl19]

Holy crap 3,000!!! That is amazing! That's 1,000 more than they were expecting. That makes me happy. Obviously there are a LOT of adopted Illinoisans that are benefiting from this new law, and I hope it shows lawmakers that we are here, and there are a LOT of us. 3,000 constituents is a big deal. I hope other states see that number and are motivated to make changes. Has anyone called recently and gotten an updated number?

I am right there with you on checking the mail. My other thing is obsessively checking my bank account to see if the check has been cashed.

On a more serious note, what are all your plans when you get yours? Assuming none of us get the 350 with names redacted. Immediate contact? Research?

I haven't really decided what I'm going to do if I get a name/names. Where are you all at on this?

[FamousSeamus]

I heard somewhere that there are potentially 250,000 adult adoptees in Illinois since 1946! Not that all of them have requested obc's. And I don't know where that figure comes from. Wouldn't it be terrific if even one tenth of the potential 250,000 request their obc's? It would overwhelm the Dept. of Public Health. The legislators would HAVE to take notice.

I'm wondering how the names will be displayed on the obc. My bmom had been divorced and didn't change her name back to her maiden name. I think my surname will be her married name, but HER name will be her maiden name. And the father's name will probably NOT be shown as she wasn't married to him and (supposedly) she hadn't told him she was pregnant. I can't wait to find out! I'm checking the mail everyday, too. Even on Sundays!

[jdgreen911]

I mailed my request out of Chicago via certified mail on the evening of 11/14 and the USPS tracking shows that it was delivered early morning on 11/16. Haven't received anything in the mail yet or had the check cashed yet, but will check back if I do.

I honestly think that, should I get a full copy of the document, I'm going to do a bit of research. I'm going to be so tempted to do a drive-by past her house because more than anything I just want to see her face, and see who I look like. We shall see. After first contact with my CI, she then ignored all attempts at contact, so I am definitely worried that I will be one of the 350 redacted cases.