[cmh19137]

Hi! I am new here, and have decided to search for my birth family. I have the actual court decree which has a file number and my name at birth on it. It does not have info on my birth parents on it though. Is this info worth anything to start a search? Where do I begin? I was adopted in Illinois by lutheran child and family services. I'm not sure if my adoptive parents would approve and they know the people at the lutheran child and family services, so I am trying to avoid using them for help. Can anyone help me??? Thanks so much!
Christine

[hprestonalexand]

Hi and welcome! I think 1st. you should apply for your non identifying information, 2nd. which plays into the 1st. is go into the search and reunion section here on the forums. If you click on the state your adoption was fianlized in, Colleen usually has info at the top of every state as to how to go about getting your non id and what the laws are in every state. Send for the form for non id and maybe a consent for contact form if your state allows this, then go from there. I also have the decree from the courts, I was lucky and do have my birth mother's name on it because she abandoned me and they had to try to locate her. I have not gotten anywhere with it because Johnson is a hard name. I hope you have better luck then I do. The non id ususally costs around $35. Some states even do an assisted search, Oregon does and it's around $400. I'm now trying to go through a p/i. So, I wish you luck, let us know if you need anything else and keep us posted on your search. Take care.