Sec. 160.421. SEARCH OF APPROPRIATE REGISTRY    


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  • (a) If a father-child relationship has not been established under this chapter, a petitioner for the adoption of or the termination of parental rights regarding the child must obtain a certificate of the results of a search of the registry. The petitioner may request a search of the registry on or after the 32nd day after the date of the birth of the child, and the bureau of vital statistics may not by rule impose a waiting period that must elapse before the bureau will conduct the requested search.

    (b) If the petitioner for the adoption of or the termination of parental rights regarding a child has reason to believe that the conception or birth of the child may have occurred in another state, the petitioner must obtain a certificate of the results of a search of the paternity registry, if any, in the other state.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 821, Sec. 1.01, eff. June 14, 2001. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 627 , Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2007.