SECTION 181.44. Inquiry through the Central Index

(a) The Vital Statistics Unit charges a fee of $5.00 to determine if a child-placing agency that operates its own registry was involved in a specified adoption. An eligible applicant may send the inquiry, along with the appropriate fee and proof of age and identity to the Vital Statistics Unit - Mail Code 2096, Attention: Central Adoption Registry (CAR), P.O. Box 140123, Austin, Texas 78714-0123 or may inquire in person at the Vital Statistics Unit, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas.

(b) Each applicant must provide proof of age and identity, in the form of a photo ID and, if the applicant's name has changed due to marriage, a copy of his or her birth certificate or marriage certificate. If the applicant is a birth sibling, a copy of his/her birth certificate must be included. If his or her name has been legally changed, a certified copy of the court order verifying the name change shall accompany the request.

(c) The CAR shall provide the child-placing agency's name, address, telephone number, and E-mail address, if appropriate, if that agency operates its own registry to which a person may apply. If the CAR finds inconclusive information to determine which agency handled the adoption, the person is entitled to apply only to the CAR.

Source Note: The provisions of this §181.44 adopted to be effective March 4, 1999, 24 TexReg 1618; amended to be effective July 3, 2003, 28 TexReg 4904; amended to be effective July 22, 2004, 29 TexReg 6936; amended to be effective August 11, 2013, 38 TexReg 4896