Texas Adoption Laws

Access to Adoption Records

Obtaining Non-Identifying Information:

Adoptive parents, legal guardians of adopted adult, and adopted adults may obtain non-identifying information.

Obtaining Identifying Information:

Identifying information is provided through a registry.

Using the Adoption Registry:

The following persons may use the registry:

• adopted adults age 18 or older,
  
• birth parents, and
  
• birth siblings age 21 or older.

The registry is provided through either the agency or the Texas Department of Health-Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Contact:

Central Adoption Registry
Bureau of Vital Statistics
TX Department of Health
PO Box 140123
Austin, TX 78714-0123
(512) 458-7111
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/bvs/car/car.htm

Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate:

f you wish to obtain a non-certified copy of your original birth certificate, you must be able to meet all of the following criteria:

1. Identify the name of each parent listed on your original birth certificate,



2. Be at least 18 years old,



3. Submit a copy of a valid photo ID issued by a government entity, and



4. Provide other legal documentation if your name has changed due to marriage or other legal reasons. (Examples of legal documentation include copies of your official supplementary birth certificate based on the adoption, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name change.)

Please complete the Application for Non-Certified Copy of Original Birth Certificate form (Word 50K) and mail it to the following address along with a copy of a valid photo ID issued by a government entity and a $10 check or money order, payable to DSHS, to:

Department of State Health Services
Texas Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040

Requests for non-certified copies of original birth certificates take 6-8 weeks to process.