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Is there an adoption registry? What information is provided about the birth parents? Would my child be able to find their birth parent later in life?

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Is there an adoption registry? What information is provided about the birth parents? Would my child be able to find their birth parent later in life?

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Yes, there is an adoption registry. The information provided about the birth parents are: age of birth parents, general physical description, race, ethnicity, religion, medical history, educational level, reason for placing the child for adoption, and existence of other children born to each parent. Children are free to find their birth parent later in life but not by court but by personal investigation.

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Do I have to pay for the expenses of the birth parent?

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Do I have to pay for the expenses of the birth parent?

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It is not forced upon an adoptive parent to pay for the expenses of the birth parent. But they can if they want to with approval from the court.

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In Illinois you may adopt a child if you are at least 21 years old. If you are separated, you must have lived apart from your spouse for 12 months or more. It is not necessary for you to own your own home.

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If I adopt a baby, can the birth parent ask for the baby back?

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If I adopt a baby, can the birth parent ask for the baby back?

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Although it varies by state, in most states there is a limited time (never more than 30 days) when a birth parent can decide to reclaim a baby placed for adoption. In voluntary infant adoption this does not happen frequently, but birth parents do reclaim their babies after placement in about 3 percent to 5 percent of placements. Please remember that birth parents cannot reclaim the baby once their rights have been terminated and the waiting period (never more than 30 days) has elapsed.

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What does the state provide to foster parents when they are placed with a child?

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What does the state provide to foster parents when they are placed with a child?

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Once a child or sibling group is placed in your home, a new journey begins that can last anywhere from overnight to several months. After the immediate safety of the child has been addressed, the next priority is reunifying the child with their birth family. Slightly more than half of all children who go into foster care return to their birth families.

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What are the requirements to become a foster parent?

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What are the requirements to become a foster parent?

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The following is a list of minimum basic requirements to become a foster parent:

Be over the age of 25.

Pass a Criminal Background Check.

Have a regular source of income to support your own monthly expenses.

Have at least one available bedroom.

Have a car, valid car insurance & a clean DMV report.

Have some flexibility in your schedule to accomodate the foster children's court ordered visits, therapy, medical appointments, etc.

Your home must pass a state required Home Safety Check.

You must supervise foster children, including teens, when they are not in school or in supervised activities.

You may be single or married.

You may own or rent your home or apartment.

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In most instances, your marital status, age, income, and sexual orientation will not automatically disqualify you from adopting a child from U.S. foster care. You don’t need to own your own home, have children already, be young, wealthy, or a stay-at-home parent to adopt or foster.

Characteristics needed to be a good foster or adoptive parent include:

Being stable, mature, dependable, and flexible

Having the ability to advocate for children

Being a team player with your family or child welfare worker