Sec. 160.421. SEARCH OF APPROPRIATE REGISTRY. (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 executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission may not by rule impose a waiting period that must elapse before the vital statistics unit 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 (H.B. 567), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2007.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.073, eff. April 2, 2015.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship
Subtitle B - Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship
Chapter 160 - Uniform Parentage Act
Subchapter E. Registry of Paternity
Section 160.401. Establishment of Registry
Section 160.402. Registration for Notification
Section 160.403. Notice of Proceeding
Section 160.404. Termination of Parental Rights: Failure to Register
Section 160.411. Required Form
Section 160.412. Furnishing of Information; Confidentiality
Section 160.413. Offense: Unauthorized Release of Information
Section 160.414. Rescission of Registration
Section 160.415. Untimely Registration
Section 160.416. Fees for Registry
Section 160.421. Search of Appropriate Registry