HOW TO START AN ADOPTION SEARCH:
- Request non-identifying information from the agency that handled the adoption. Contact the Department of Vital Statistics (http://www.vitalrec.com) for the state you / they were born in and they should be able to direct you to the agency.
- Review the laws and what is available for the state where the adoption took place. Court orders may be needed to proceed.
- Sign up with the state registry. Contact the Department of Vital Statistics for the state where the adoptee was born and where the adoption was finalized.
- Sign up with the International Soundex Reunion Registry. (I.S.R.R.) P.O. Box 2312 Carson City, Nevada USA 89702-2312
- Speak with your / the adoptive parents. Many adoptive parents have additional information that they were waiting for the "right time" to share with their children.
- Join a support group if available. There are several reputable ones online such as www.adoptions.com
WHO’S HOLDING THOSE RECORDS???
Catholic Charitable Bureau
603 Court Building.
Evansville IN 47708
Phone (812) 423-5456
Indiana State Archives
6440 E. 30th St.
Indianapolis IN 46219
Phone (317) 591-5222
(ask for Alan January or Vicki Casteele)
Vigo County Homes for Children
1308 South 6th Street
Terre Haute, IN 47807
Phone: (812) 462-3256
(ask for Carol Glass)
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A NOTE TO REMEMBER FOR VIGO COUNTY, INDIANA
A court order is required to open any post-1940 Glenn Home or any other youth records EVEN WITH state registration to have the records opened.
(IN THE EVENT OF ADOPTION OR NOT)
Judge David Bolk
Vigo Superior Court Division III
Vigo Circuit Court
Vigo County Courthouse
33 South Third Street
Terre Haute IN 47807
Direct Phone: 812-462-3241
Fax Number: 812-232-4995
FOR WELFARE (aka D.C.S) ADOPTIONS
If the adoption took place through the county and it was out of a foster home or group home - you / the adoptee will likely also have records with this office.
Vigo County Department of Child Services
30 N. 8th Street
Terre Haute, Indiana 47807
Glenn Cardwell—Director
Phone: 812-234-0100
Or Secondary office information:
Vigo County Division of Family Resources
43L Meadows Shopping Center
Terre Haute, IN 47803
Telephone Number: (800) 403-0864
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
This page was last updated: May 25, 2009
FOR VIGO COUNTY BIRTH AND DEATH RECORDS:
Vigo County Annex—Vital Statistics
171 Oak Street
Terre Haute, IN 47807
Phone: (812) 462-3442
- Photo ID Required for both
- Additional 2nd ID required for birth cert.
- Fees: $6.00 per copy for death certificate
$6.00 per copy for birth certificate
For more specific information on
requirements
*They do NOT accept requests via
telephone, fax or email*
**The birth certificate received will be the AMENDED one– not the ‘original’ birth certificate. The original—with the original birth name—comes from the State / Indianapolis
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ILLINOIS ADOPTION RECORDS / LAWS SUMMARY
HOW CAN I OBTAIN MY ADOPTION RECORDS?
At the time of an adoption, the court seals the original birth certificate and all the documents pertaining to the legal process of adoption. The legal documents are held by the court and the original birth certificate is held by Vital Records. These records are not available except by court order issued by the court that decreed the original adoption.
HOW CAN I SEE MY ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE?
This generally requires a court order. It is possible for the adopted person to obtain a copy of their original birth certificate without a court order when certain mutually consenting registrants have filed with the Illinois Adoption Registry and a Medical Information Exchange (IARMIE) and agreed to the exchange.
WHERE DO I GET THE FORMS TO REGISTER WITH ‘IARMIE’?
Forms may be obtained in several ways:
- You may download the forms from the Web site www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/vital/adoptperson.htm
- E-mail your request to dph.vitalrec@illinois.gov.
- Fax your request to 217-557-5279.
- Mail your request to: Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
605 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62702-5097
Attn: IARMIE.
- Call the IARMIE at 217-557-5159, or toll-free at 877-323-5299.
► When requesting forms, be sure to include:
- your full name
- mailing address
- indicate whether you are an adopted or surrendered person, birth parent, adoptive parent, surviving relative of deceased adopted or surrendered person, surviving relative of a deceased birth parent, or legal guardian of an adopted or surrendered person.
FLORENCE CRITTENTON HOME (Unwed Mothers)
was located at 1923 Poplar St in Terre Haute
the building still stands although is a private residence today.
Records from this maternity home are frustratingly absent and believed to have been moved to Florida. Births were never published in the local newspapers.
The infants did stay (at the maternity home) there while waiting to be placed with their adoptive families.
The National Crittenton Foundation
522 SW Fifth Avenue Suite 900
Portland, Oregon 97204
Phone: 503-297-2217
Toll free: 866-449-2217
Fax: 503-297-1277
