Adoption resources

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Adoption

Adoption is the legal process of a person getting a new parent or parents. This is a long, complicated process. Learn the basics with our resources.

Explains the different kinds of ways someone can become a legal parent of a child outside of marriage or giving birth.

Guide

Explains how to end your parental responsibilities of a child by giving up or losing your rights.

Guide

Use this form to adopt a child when the biological parents were not married and one has been found to be an unfit parent.

Form download

Use this form to give consent for your child to be adopted.

Form link

Use this form to adopt a child when the biological parents were married and one has been found to be an unfit parent.

Form download

Use this form for a judgment order for an adoption when the biological parents are not married and have been found unfit.

Form download

Steps to adopt a child including the forms you need, an at home investigation, and how the court hearing works.

How-To

Explains the different kinds of ways someone can become a legal parent of a child outside of marriage or giving birth.

Guide

Explains when a parent can give up their parental responsibilities without going through the adoption process.

Text article

Options for finding adoption records and information on birth families.

Text article

Adoption law in Illinois with guidance on unique situations like same-sex adopting parents, surrogacy and interracial adoption. 2020 edition.

IICLE