Illinois foster care and adoption guidelines
Our goal in Illinois is to assist families with the licensing process and answer any questions or concerns that you may have about adoption or foster care.
On this page:
- State contact information
- Foster and adoption licensing requirements
- Costs to foster and adopt
- Agency contact and orientation information
- Post-adoption support services
- Information on Illinois' waiting children
State contact information
For information in English:
Illinois DCFS Adoption Listing Service and Inquiry Unit at Greenlight Family Services
800-572-2390
Para información en español:
Correo Electrónico: erivera@greenlightfamilyservices.org
800-572-2390
Foster and adoption licensing requirements
An agency will do a criminal background check as well as fingerprinting. The agency will come out to the home to make sure you have adequate space for a child. A physical is required, but don’t worry: You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. You need to attend 39 training hours. If you are married, your spouse needs to attend these training classes as well. Yes, many single people foster and adopt. The process to become licensed to foster and adopt can take anywhere from three to six months to complete.
For more information about foster care see the DCFS website.
For more information about adoption see the DCFS website.
Costs to foster and adopt
If you adopt a child from Illinois foster care, adoption is free. If you adopt a child from foster care in another state, you may encounter some fees, but your family may be eligible for reimbursement of limited nonrecurring adoption-related costs, such as attorney’s fees and court fees, through the child’s state or federal options.
Agency contact and orientation information
Please call 800-572-2390 or go to Greenlight Family Services.
Post-adoption support services
See a comprehensive list of post-adoption and guardianship support services and support groups available to families who live in Illinois.
Information on Illinois' waiting children
In foster care, the age range of children can be anywhere from infant to 18 years old. The children in Illinois who are ready to be adopted are generally school-aged children (8 years old and above) and often part of sibling groups.
There are 17,920 children in foster care in Illinois; 3,347 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.