I am looking to find out information for my adopted brother. We are seeking to find his biological parents and or siblings. He is not in the right state of mind to go about requesting this help without help himself. That is where I have stepped in. Please let me know where to begin. This adoption took place in Illinois. I know that the Laws differ from state to state. If anyone can offer some good advise it will be greatly appreciated. I was also adopted but had the pleasure of being able to find my family on my own. I really want this for him and feel that it would be beneficial to him in the future. He is 33 yrs old and has waited a long time with the uncertanty, questions, and feelings of disengagement. Thank you in advance for all responses.

First I am glad yours was a pleasure, most are not, most times when he finds them, they may be mad and even curse him for showing up, so please don't expect a TV ending to finding them. So when he finds his father, and he curses him for being born and tells him that his birth has ruined his life, what is that going to do to him.

But no unless it is a medical emergany they don't open closed records

There is a sticky at the top of the Adoption Forum that gives advice on how to start a search.

HOWEVER--unless you have power of attorney for your brother, you have no legal right to act for him. You cannot do some of the things for him (like place letters at the courthouse and adoption agency).

I would like to point out that unless there is a valid MEDICAL reason, then adoption information on a closed adoption is not "needed". If that is, however, the case, then your brother needs an attorney.

Please remember that birth parents are people too. They have lives and hopes and dreams and fears like everyone else. Some of them have very good reasons for keeping the adoption closed--like that it would destroy their marriage if their current spouse found out about it.