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Central Adoption RegistryBROCHURE - Texas Adoption Information & the Central Adoption Registry (PDF 291KB) En Español (PDF 141KB) The Texas Vital Statistics Central Adoption Registry is part of a voluntary mutual-consent registry system mandated during the State of Texas' 68th Legislative Session in 1983. It enables an adult adoptee, birth parent, or sibling to place his or her name on the registry and to locate other family members who are also registered. We are unique in that we have the authority, without a court order, to view a sealed or confidential record. This allows us to authenticate a match between two biologically related people. Please send us an e-mail if you have any questions or comments about the Central Adoption Registry or call us at 1-888-963-7111 ext. 7388. Who is eligible?
In Texas, more than 30 child-placing agencies operate their own voluntary adoption registry. The Texas Vital Statistics Central Adoption Registry maintains a list of these child-placing agencies. If an agency was involved in the adoption, the Central Adoption Registry will identify that agency so that you can have the opportunity to request services from them. Click here for the list of child-placing agencies with a voluntary registry. Click here for the list of closed adoption agencies with records housed by Texas Vital Statistics. How does it work? A match occurs when an adopted person and his or her birth parent or a biological sibling voluntarily register. The registry releases identifying information after the participants in the match complete the following:
The registry sends the biography to the other participant at the same time as when the identifying information is exchanged. Requirements to register
Application (pdf 39K) Application Instructions (pdf 12K) How do I request the opening of a sealed adoption record?You must petition the court that granted the adoption to open the sealed record. If you do not know which court granted the adoption, you can download an application form with instructions on requesting the court's identity. Click here for the form in Word (41K). Questions about the Central Adoption Registry? Click here for assistance in viewing files. Last Updated July 25, 2007 |
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