Texas Adoption Records
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Accessing Adoption Records in Texas
In Texas, adoption records are sealed, making it difficult for adoptees to learn about their family history. Without knowing your birth parents’ names, you may never be able to access your Texas adoption records or get your original birth certificate.
While your official records may be sealed, Texas offers a voluntary adoption registry to make it easier for biological family members to reunite. However, the process comes with some state-mandated stipulations, and finding your relatives through this registry may take years, if it happens at all.
Adopted.com provides an easier, alternative way to find your adopted child, your birth parents, or your biological sibling if the adoption occurred in Texas. Our voluntary adoption reunion registry reaches all corners of the great state of Texas, from McAllen to Amarillo and everywhere in between.
It’s free to register, and all you need to do is answer ten simple questions about the adoption. If you’ve hit a wall in the search for your Texas adoption records, join Adopted.com today for another chance to reunite with your biological family.
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18,353 Are Adoption Records Public in Texas?
No, Texas adoption records are not public. Under state law, they’re sealed after an adoption and can only be released under a court order.
However, once an adoptee turns 18, they can get a redacted copy of their adoption records. The redacted copy will not include the birth parents’ names or other identifying information. To get your redacted records, contact the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services or the private agency that handled the adoption.
How Can You Open Sealed Adoption Records in Texas?
Unsealing adoption records in Texas requires you to get a court order. You can petition the court that granted the adoption to unseal your records. If you don’t know the court, you can get this information by filing a request with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section.
Once you have a court order, you can request your sealed adoption records by completing an application and paying a $10 fee. However, you must know the names of the birth parents listed on your original birth certificate. You cannot get your sealed adoption records if you don't know their names.
What Happens to an Original Birth Certificate After Adoption in Texas?
After an adoption in Texas, a child’s original birth certificate is sealed, and an amended version is issued listing the child’s adoptive parents. The state allows adoptees to request their original birth certificate once they turn 18 if they know the names of their birth parents.
If you’re an adoptee who meets these requirements, you can request a non-certified copy of your original birth certificate from the DSHS Vital Statistics Section. You need to complete the application, pay a $10 fee, and submit a copy of a government-issued photo ID.
How Do You Find a Biological Parent in Texas?
If you don’t know your biological parents’ names, it’s difficult to get your adoption records in Texas. However, the state operates a voluntary Central Adoption Registry (CAR) for adoptees, birth parents, and biological siblings. If you can’t get a court order for your records, consider adding your name to this registry.
If there’s a match in the system, CAR will release identifying information once all parties:
- Consent to the release of identifying information
- Complete a one-hour counseling session to prepare for the reunion
- Provide a written biography or history of their life with copies of photos
For those waiting to connect, the amount of time and bureaucracy can be frustrating. If you register, as with any search method, there’s no guarantee you will ever get a match. If there is a match, it’s going to take a high degree of investment on all sides to get everything done.
Adopted.com offers an easier way to find biological relatives who are also looking for you. Join now to become part of the largest voluntary adoption registry in the world.
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Let Adopted.com help you find your lost family today!
Adopted.com is a powerful adoption reunion registry designed to help you reconnect with your birth parents. By registering, you gain access to a growing database of over 1,189,517 profiles, increasing your chances of finding your biological relatives. The platform respects your privacy and allows you to update your profile anytime.
Registration is free, and the unique search tool ensures measurable match results. When you find your birth parents, remember to approach the reunion with an open heart and understanding, as it can be an emotionally significant experience for everyone involved.
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Texas Who Chose To Be Featured
1. Scbysnack1 : FOUND - AUGUST 2022 Michigan‚ Muskegon‚ Grant‚ Washburn‚ Constance‚ Jerry‚ Loretta‚ Lima‚ Newaygo‚ Ken‚ Larry‚ Orville‚ Ravenna‚ White Cloud‚ Westbrook
2. HERNANDEZ : I am searching for my siblings who was taken from our mother Sara A. Castro thru CPS in New Braunfels‚ TX. She was in a abusive relationship with the father of her 3 younger children. Who was also abusive to us. She had her 4 children taken away until she was able to get away from him. Which was not easy‚ but she did it. Our mother Sara was able to get back the 2 oldest children myself Mary Helen & my brother Robert. Our mother was promised her 2 younger kids Kieth & Rhonda will be able to come back when our mother was able to get more situated with her life. When she felt she was back on her feet not even a year later. CPS told her it was to late her 2 younger kids Kieth & Rhonda had gotten adopted already and there was nothing she could do. Our mother doesn’t know how this was possible‚ because they didn’t take her to court for this nor did she sign any paperwork much less know anything about it. CPS threatened our mother that if she would try to fight it or look for her children CPS would send them out of state. With no chance of her ever knowing about them. So she did what they told her. When they became adults 18 & 21yrs old i started to search for Kieth & Rhonda. So that i could help heal our mothers broken heart. On Jan. of 2007 I found my little brother Kieth Wheeler. Who he too was also searching for us he says. Since then we have been reunited and we have been in each other’s life’s and get along well with his other family as well with his wife & children and especially with his adopted family. Now i need help in healing the other half of our mothers broken heart. I am still looking for my little sister her birth name is Rhonda Yvette Wheeler. She was born on Aug.17‚1981 in New Braunfels Tx. at the Mckenna Memorial Hospital now known as Christus Santa Rosa Hospital. Mothers birth name is Sara Anita Castro also from New Braunfels‚ Tx. My little sister is half hispanic (mother) and half black (father).Last known location we knew was in San Antonio‚ TX. We are not trying to take her from her family she has‚ or pressure her to accept us. We just want to get to know her and share her life with her. Also to let her know that we love her and think about her all the time and especially for medical reasons as well. I know she might not know about us‚ cause she was about two or three months old when we were taken away from our mother. Not to long ago i found out her adopted name is Rhonda Michelle Blache and also the names of her adopted parents names and sibling. We have not actually been able to speak with her. I found out through her adopted brother that she is in fact my biological sister‚ but that she doesn’t want to know anything about us or have anything to do with us. I’m not sure if she actually said that‚ cause I didn’t hear it from her nor do I know if they told her we are looking for her. I wasn’t given a chance to actually speak to her. I just would like to see a picture of her just to see her‚ cause the only picture we last have of her is her baby picture. UPDATE: Still in search of my sister Rhonda to let her know that our Mother lost her 14yr battle with cancer on Nov. 23‚ 2021 at 3:40am in Seguin at the Guadalupe Regional Hospital. Our mother only wish was to see her again before she past away‚ but unfortunately it didn’t happen. That doesn’t mean we can’t make this happen‚ because we would love to still reunite with you and to show you pictures of our mother and the family and to answer all your questions you have of our mother. Just know we love you and I’m still waiting on your call and to have you back in our life again. If anyone knows her personally can you give me her info or have her see this msg an call me plz. I already have her adopted father address and phn # I don’t need that one. I need her personal phn # and address. God Bless
3. Jmthoutx : Update: found both birth parents and siblings. Hello we are looking for any family member for my husband. We would really like to get medical information.
4. Lillie5484 : I was born in Fort Worth, Texas. My adpotion went through Gladney.
5. Markanthony : Hello I am looking for my son who I gave up for adoption . He was born July 14,1981 at Herman Hospital in Houston Texas . You’re were placed with Deplcin Faith Home adoption agency in Houston Texas . I named you Mark Anthony at time of birth I am African Amercian so was your Dad you are African American Black . You have light brown eyes . Alice - Chris biological parents
6. Pommom : ISO for baby boy Griffin, born 02/21/1977 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas. U r 1/4 Korean & white. I love u very much and always have, since I held you in my arms and looked into your precious eyes. I was 14, to young & all alone. I didn’t want you to be a welfare baby. I gave you up in hopes that you would have a better life than what I could offer you. I never forgot you.
7. Jdoe1064 : Born at the Edna Gladney Home May 19, 1982 in Ft. Worth Texas.
8. Osr0856 : I have a twin sister, we were born at Harris Hospital, Tarrant County. We were both adopted by the same parents. We have had good life.
9. Asloan1967 : Adoptee Birth Hospital: Volunteers Of America Adoptee State: Texas Adoptee Country: USA Adoptive Mothers Name: Code Name "Velvet" Searching For: Birth Mother, Birth Father All Other Information: Delivered by Dr. A. B. Pumphrey, case worker was Ruth Abbott Spock, birth-mother was 17, brown hair, light complected, possibly from Amarillo, TX area, she had an older brother and a younger brother and sister, her father was retired from the Air Force. Birth father was 21 and in the military. She snuck out of maternity home the night before I was born to attend a college football game with her cousin. She said I had a nose like my father. Her father converted the family to the Mormon faith. Birthfather’s mother was a school teacher he had a relative that was a pediatrist.
10. Bbates : I am looking for a daughter/sister my mother had on June 6, 1970. She was born in Houston Harris County at MD Anderson. Could be half or full sister??
11. LisaBS : Born in Dallas. Looking for bio father. Bio mom’s name is Jan.
12. Patricialp : my son was born about 7:30pm at hendrick hosp. dr patilo was the doctor. hudson smart was the lawyer who handles the adoption. i think the adopting parents lived in albany, texas and owned a tastee freeze. i would really like to hear from my son.
13. Susankelly72 : Looking for my brother who was left in a bar in Temple Tx was possibly adopted by a woman named Marilyn. Date of birth could be anywhere from 1973-76
14. Cat0805 : Born Aug. 5 1982 in El Paso TX.
15. TeaThompson : My son was born in Dallas Texas on July 3rd 1990. Adopted 2 days later.
