1. (a) The vital statistics unit shall furnish a certificate of the results of a search of the registry on request by an individual, a court, or an agency listed in Section 160.412(b).
2. (a-1) Using existing resources, the vital statistics unit shall establish an electronic process through which the Department of Family and Protective Services may request information under this section.

3. (b) The certificate of the results of a search must include a digitized or written signature on behalf of the unit and state that:

   1. (1) a search has been made of the registry; and

   2. (2) a registration containing the information required to identify the registrant:

      1. (A) has been found and is attached to the certificate; or
      2. (B) has not been found.
4. (c) A petitioner must file the certificate of the results of a search of the registry with the court before a proceeding for the adoption of or termination of parental rights regarding a child may be concluded.

5. (d) A search of the registry is not required if a parent-child relationship exists between a man and the child, as provided by Section 160.201(b), and that man:

   1. (1) has been served with citation of the proceeding for termination of the parent-child relationship; or
   2. (2) has signed a relinquishment of parental rights with regard to the child.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 821, Sec. 1.01, eff. June 14, 2001.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1283 (H.B. 3997), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.074, eff. April 2, 2015.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 670 (H.B. 4795), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.