A recent article out of the Mid County Chronicle discusses the registry that is through The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Vital Statistics Central Adoption Registry. Through this registry adult adoptees can be reunited with birth parents or birth siblings who sign up looking for one another. The Registry began in 1984 and to date has registered more than 8, 100 people who were searching for one another including adult adoptees, birthmothers, birth fathers, and adult siblings.

According to Patricia Molina, the DSHS program administrator the registry is unique because they have the authority to view sealed and confidential records and files without obtaining a court order first.

"This ability allows us to match two biologically related people. A match occurs only when an adopted person and the birth parent or a biological sibling voluntarily register."

Once a match is made, each person is notified via letter and then is required to attend a one hour counseling session that prepares and educates them about reunion.

"The counseling will help identify a support system as the reunion progresses, whether the husband, wife or other children will be supportive, what they see as the best and worse outcome from a reunion and what they want the outcome to be."

Although adoptive parents are not apart of the registry, DSHS encourages adoptees to share the process with their adoptive parents. Through counseling, they are also encouraged to form a support system as reunion can be emotional.

After the mandatory counseling session, each person involves prepares a personal bio that includes pictures. The personal biographies and identifying information are then shared with those involved.

There are requirements in order for someone to become a part of the Texas Central Adoption Registry.

The person must have:

• Been adopted in Texas or have been born in Texas and adopted in another state


• Or be the birth parent or sibling of an adoptee


• Be 18 years old or older


• Provide proof of age and identity with a copy of a birth certificate and a valid government-issued photo ID.

To get an application, write the Central Adoption Registry (MC 1966), P.O. Box 149347, Austin, TX 78714-9347; call (512) 458-7388 or toll free (888) 963- 7111, ext. 7388; or download an application online.

Cost to be in the registry is $30 but may be waived or reduced.