The Texas Adoption Papers form serves as a crucial document for amending a birth certificate based on adoption, outlining the procedure and criteria for adoptive parents, the adoptee, attorneys, and district clerks involved in the process. It details the necessary steps, from completing the form and attaching valid identification to submitting the appropriate fees, ensuring that the information on the birth certificate reflects the adoption accurately. To help streamline the adoption and birth certificate amendment process, consider carefully completing the Texas Adoption Papers form by clicking the button below.
Embarking on the journey of adopting a child in Texas involves a series of legal steps, one of which is amending the child's birth certificate to reflect the adoption. This process is detailed in the Texas Adoption Papers form, which outlines the essential steps adoptive parents, legal representatives, and district clerks must follow. The form specifies who is eligible to apply for a correction, including the adoptee themselves if they are 18 or older, the adoptive parent(s), attorneys representing the adoptive parent(s), and district clerks with specific exceptions. It walks through the entire process of making a correction, from completing the form and attaching valid identification to submitting a certified copy of the final decree of adoption and the associated fees. The form also highlights the importance of providing complete and accurate information to avoid processing delays or application denial and offers guidance on expedited processing for urgent requests. With clear instructions and requirements laid out, this form serves as a critical guide for legally cementing the relationship between adoptive parents and their child in the eyes of the state, ensuring the child's new identity is officially recognized.
Amending a Birth Certificate
based on Adoption
Who Can Apply for a Correction?
•The person named on the birth certificate, if at least 18 years of age.
•Adoptive Parent(s) of the person named on the birth certificate.
•Attorney representing the adoptive parent(s) of the person named on the birth certificate.
•District clerks (district clerks do not need to complete sections 6 and 7).
How Do I Make a Correction?
☐Complete all sections and sign the Certificate of Adoption. See pages 3 and 4.
☐Section 5 on page 3 MUST be completed and certified by the clerk of the court.
☐The applicant must ATTACH A COPY OF THEIR VALID PHOTO ID. If the District clerk is submitting the application, the clerk needs to provide as a form of ID a cover letter on office letterhead referencing the adoptee(s).
☐The application must be original. Photocopies, alterations, strike-through, or write overs will not be
accepted.
☐Submit a certified copy (with original certification) of the final decree of adoption if section 5 is not complete or certified.
☐Submit the appropriate fees. See fee schedule below.
For Frequently Asked Questions, go to: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vs/faq/#adopt
Where Do I Mail the Application?
Regular Mailing Instructions - Estimated processing time is 6-8 weeks.
See https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vs/processing/ for current times.
Please submit your application, supporting documents (if required) and fees to:
DSHS – Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040.
Expedited Service Mailing Instructions - Estimated processing time is 20-25 business days.
The order and $5.00 processing fee must be sent to the Vital Statistics Section via an overnight mail service such as: FedEx, Lone Star, or UPS.
DSHS-Vital Statistics Section, MC 2096, 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756.
•
FAILURE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REQUESTED ON THIS FORM, MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT
PROCESSING DELAYS AND/OR DENIAL OF YOUR APPLICATION.
Fees: How much must I submit?
Fee Schedule
Fee ($)
Qty (#)
Total ($)
Filing Fees:
O
Correction to Birth Certificate based on adoption
$25.00
=
Birth Certificate(s):
Certified Corrected Birth Certificate ($22.00 per copy)
$22.00
X
Central Adoption Registry Fee:
Central Adoption Registry Fee (per adoption decree granted in Texas)
$15.00
For urgent requests, orders may be EXPEDITED by paying the below expedited processing fee AND sending the order through an overnight mail service, such as: FEDEX, LoneStar, or UPS to: DSHS-Vital Statistics Section, MC 2096, 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756.
Expedited processing Fee
$5.00
All orders are returned free of charge by USPS regular mail. For expedited return mail service, select one of the overnight return shipping methods below.
Expedite Overnight Mail (shipping within USA)
$12.50
USPS Express Overnight Mail (shipping overnight to PO Box ONLY)
$22.95
Grand Total
Fees may be combined in one check or money order made payable to DSHS – Vital Statistics
For the status of your request, contact VSS by telephone at 1-888-963-7111 or online at: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/orderstatus/.
Page 1 of 4
VS-160 (Rev. 3/22)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Once the application is approved, a new birth record will be filed with the adoption information.
Section 1: Birth Certificate Information
•The information completed in this section should show the child’s information prior to this adoption. This is required to locate the birth certificate our office will be amending.
•The child’s name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth are required.
•Parents’ names are required for Texas-born adoptions; parents’ names are not required for foreign-born adoptions.
Section 2: Information for New Birth Certificate
•This section must show the adoptive parents information. Do not list married name as maiden name.
•If this is a step-parent adoption, the biological parent’s information should also be included in this section. A step-parent adoption is NOT a single parent adoption.
•All items in this section are required. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Section 3: Parent’s Signature
•An adoptive parent’s signature is required. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Section 4: Attorney/Placing Agency Information
•Include the name, address and telephone number of the attorney of record.
•If applicable, include the child placing agency or managing conservator.
Section 5: Certification of the Court
•This section must be completed by the clerk of the court granting the adoption, including the new name of the child.
•If this section is not certified by the clerk of the court granting the adoption, then the applicant may complete this section and must submit a certified copy (with the original certification) of the final decree of adoption. The adoption decree must properly identify the birth record to be amended – including the child’s original name, date of birth and adoptive name. For foreign-born adoptions, the adoption decree must also include the country of birth.
Please note: All documents, both certified and photocopied, submitted will be retained by our office and placed in a sealed file. A court order is required to unseal a file. Parents should keep copies of certified documents for their records and future use before sending them.
Section 6: What is Your Name? (Applicant’s Information)
•This section must be completed with the applicant’s contact information and relationship to the person named on the birth certificate. District clerks do not need to complete this section.
•This section must include to whom our office will mail the newly filed birth certificate.
•A copy of the applicant’s valid photo ID must be included with the application.
Section 7: Would the applicant like to order a certified copy of the new birth record?
•The information completed in this section is used by our office to determine if a certified copy of the newly filed birth certificate reflecting the adoptive information is being ordered and the number of certified copies being ordered. District clerks do not need to complete this section.
•If a birth certificate is not ordered, this section does not need to be signed in the presence of a notary public, county clerk, or other person authorized to administer oaths.
•If a birth certificate is ordered, this section must be signed by the applicant in section 6: one of the adoptive parents, the adult adoptee, or attorney in the presence of a notary public, county clerk, or other person authorized to administer oaths. The application must include a photocopy of the valid photo ID for the person signing.
•The notary public’s signature, seal or stamp, and commission expiration date must be shown in this section.
Page 2 of 4
IMPORTANT: Photocopies, alterations, strike-through, or write overs in Section 1 through 7 will not be accepted. Please use a new application if you make a mistake. Copies of E-filed Certificates of Adoption will be accepted.
Certificate of Adoption
THIS IS A PERMANENT RECORD. Type or Print (blue or black ink ONLY). Remittance No.___________
Enter information as it appears on the current birth certificate (before this adoption).
Birth Certificate Number, if known: 142 -
-
Child’s First Name:
Middle Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY):
Sex:
Time of Birth:
Name of Hospital/Facility:
City:
County:
State or Foreign Country:
Full Maiden Name (First, Middle, Last) of Parent 1:
Full Maiden Name (First, Middle, Last) of Parent 2:
All information below MUST be provided or a new birth certificate cannot be completed.
Is this a Single Parent Adoption? ☐ Yes
☐ No
Parent 1
Title to Appear on Birth Record (check one):
Mother
Father
Parent
Adoptive
First Name:
Current Last Name:
Maiden Last Name(s) before marriage:
Biological
Place of Birth
(State or Foreign Country):
Parent 2
Parent(s) Address
Street Address
City
County
State
Zip
Inside City Limits:
at the time of
Yes No
child’s birth:
Parent(s) Current
Address:
Parent(s) Email Address:
Parent(s) Phone No.:
(
)
Parent’s Signature (REQUIRED):
Name of Attorney of Record:
Attorney’s Email Address:
Attorney’s
Information:
Mailing Address (Street address, City, State, Zip):
Phone No.:
Placing
Name of Child Placing Agency or Managing Conservator:
Agency or
Managing
Conservator:
Please complete the child’s name as set forth in the Decree of Adoption.
Name of the child as set forth in the Adoption Decree:
First
Middle
Last
I hereby certify that the above information is correct as stated in the Decree of Adoption which was granted on _______________
day of ________________________,___________ in the _________________ Court of ________________ County, Texas in
Cause #__________________________.
________________________________________________
[Stamp or Seal]
District Clerk’s Signature
WARNING: The Penalty for knowingly making a false statement in this form can be 2-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. (Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 195).
Page 3 of 4
Name (First, Middle, Last):
Address (Mailing Address, City, State, Zip):
Email Address:
Telephone # (8am-5pm):
Your relationship to Person named on the birth certificate: ☐ Adoptive Parent ☐ Self ☐ Attorney representing Adoptive Parent(s)
>>>>>>>A COPY OF THE APPLICANT’S VALID PHOTO ID MUST BE ATTACHED<<<<<<<
Check one:
No, I would not like a certified copy of the new birth record.
Yes, I would like a certified copy of the new birth record.
Number ordered: ________
If Yes, verify the fees and quantity ordered in the fee box on Page 1 and mailing address in Section 6. Sign below in the presence of a notary public and ATTACH a copy of your valid Photo ID. Applications without acceptable valid ID attached will not be processed. Cross-outs or white-outs will VOID your application.
Adoptive Parent, Adult Adoptee, or Attorney
>>>>>ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR VALID PHOTO ID<<<<<
Printed Name:
Signature:
State:
Zip:
Notary Public, County Clerk, or other person authorized to administer oaths
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this ______ day of ____________ 20______.
Printed name and title:
Page 4 of 4
Filling out the Texas Adoption Papers is a crucial step in the adoption process as it involves amending a birth certificate based on adoption. The form requires detailed information from the adoptive parents, or the attorney representing them, to ensure the birth certificate reflects the child's new legal status. This guide will walk you through filling out the form step by step. Please gather all necessary information beforehand to avoid delays. Once completed, you'll be one step closer to finalizing your adoption and celebrating this momentous occasion with your new family member.
After submitting the application, you can track the status of your request by contacting VSS by phone or online. Remember, providing complete and accurate information in your application will help avoid any delays. Once processed, a new birth certificate reflecting the adoption will be filed, officially recognizing your new family structure. This is a significant step in the adoption journey, as it legally documents the child as a member of your family with all the rights and responsibilities therein.
The individuals eligible include the person named on the birth certificate if they are at least 18 years of age, the adoptive parent(s), an attorney representing the adoptive parent(s), and district clerks. It's important that these individuals follow specific procedures outlined by the state to ensure accurate and legal amendment of birth records post-adoption.
To correct a birth certificate after adoption in Texas, one must:
Applications can be mailed to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) - Vital Statistics Section. There are options for both regular and expedited service. The regular mailing address is P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040, with an estimated processing time of 6-8 weeks. For expedited service, which has a 20-25 business day processing time, send to DSHS-Vital Statistics Section, MC 2096, 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756, along with the expedited processing fee.
The fee schedule includes:
All fees can be combined into one check or money order payable to DSHS - Vital Statistics.
The status of your application can be checked by contacting VSS by telephone at 1-888-963-7111 or online at the dedicated link provided by the DSHS.
Upon approval of the application, a new birth record will be filed containing the adoption information. This new birth certificate replaces the original and reflects the adoptive parent(s) as the legal parent(s) of the child, among other amendments that may include changes to the child's name and birth details as per the adoption decree.
No, the Texas Vital Statistics office requires the original application without any photocopies, alterations, strike-through, or write-overs. If an error is made, a new application must be used. This ensures the integrity and legality of the vital records process.
All documents, including certified and photocopied ones submitted with the application, will be retained by the Vital Statistics office and placed in a sealed file. A court order will be required to unseal these files. Therefore, it is advised for parents to keep copies of certified documents for their records and future use before submission.
Filling out Texas Adoption Papers is a crucial step in the adoption process, and it's easy to make mistakes if you're not careful. Here's a detailed list of common errors that people make, which can lead to delays or even the denial of the application:
Not completing all sections or skipping important fields. Every section is important to ensure the adoption is processed smoothly.
Failure to attach a copy of a valid photo ID. This requirement applies to the applicant and, if applicable, also to the person signing Section 7 if ordering a certified copy of the new birth certificate.
Submitting copies of the application instead of the original document. Photocopies, alterations, strike-throughs, or write-overs are not accepted, as the application must be in its original form to be processed.
Incorrectly completing Section 5, which must be certified by the clerk of the court. This section is vital for verifying the adoption with official court certification.
Forgetting to submit a certified copy of the final decree of adoption if Section 5 is not complete. This document is crucial for the amendment of the birth certificate based on the adoption.
Omitting the appropriate fees according to the fee schedule. Ensure all required fees are enclosed with the application to avoid processing delays.
Not using blue or black ink to fill out the form. The use of any other ink color can result in the need to resubmit the form.
Listing married names as maiden names. This can cause confusion and inaccuracies in official records.
Sending the application to the wrong office or not choosing expedited service when in a rush. Understanding the correct mailing instructions and including the expedited service fee when needed can save time.
Remember, attention to detail is key when completing Texas Adoption Papers. Avoiding these common mistakes not only speeds up the process but also helps ensure the accuracy of vital legal documents. Missteps can significantly delay the adoption process, a scenario everyone wants to avoid. When in doubt, don't hesitate to ask for advice or assistance from legal experts familiar with adoption procedures in Texas.
When families embark on the rewarding journey of adoption in Texas, they encounter various necessary forms and documents besides the Texas Adoption Papers. These forms are essential for validating the adoption process, ensuring all legal requirements are met, and establishing the new legal relationship between the adoptive parents and the child. A comprehensive understanding of these documents is vital for a smooth and effective adoption process.
Each of these documents plays a crucial role in ensuring the legal, emotional, and physical well-being of the child and the adoptive family. It is important for adoptive parents to work closely with legal and adoption professionals to ensure that all paperwork is accurately completed and filed. This meticulous attention to detail will help pave the way for a successful adoption process, ultimately leading to the fulfillment of building a loving family through adoption.
The Texas Adoption Papers form has similarities with a Marriage Certificate Application in several respects. Both documents require personal and sensitive information about the parties involved, including names and addresses. They also mandate the involvement of a legal or certified authority to validate the information presented—court clerks in the case of adoption and county clerks or officiants for marriage. Additionally, each application involves a legal change in status that is recognized by the state, necessitating official amendments to public records.
A Name Change Petition shares commonalities with the Texas Adoption Papers, particularly in the aspect of legally altering personal documents and public records. Both processes require court involvement and the submission of a court order to authenticate the change—be it the adoption decree or the name change order. Each document requires the person’s current legal name and the requested new name, plus a verification process to prevent fraud, underscoring the gravity of these legal actions.
The Texas Adoption Papers form and Birth Certificate Correction forms are similar since both involve amendments to vital records. Each form necessitates precise details about the person whose record is to be amended, including the current and requested changes. Moreover, they both require a certified document to support the requested change: an adoption decree for the adoption papers and potentially a court order for the birth certificate correction. These processes ensure that vital statistical information reflects accurate and current legal statuses.
Lastly, a Passport Application can be considered akin to the Texas Adoption Papers form in the sense that both require stringent documentation and personal identification to establish identity and citizenship, crucial for international standards. For a passport following an adoption, an amended birth certificate showcasing adoptive parentage might be requisite, similar to how the adoption form requires an updated birth certificate post-adoption. Both documents emphasize security through detailed verifications, safeguarding against identity theft and ensuring accuracy in personal records.
Filling out Texas Adoption Papers requires attention to detail and adherence to specific requirements. For a smoother process, here are key dos and don’ts to consider:
Adhering to these guidelines can assist in making the adoption papers process in Texas as smooth and efficient as possible. It’s about ensuring the paperwork accurately reflects your family’s significant event, legally and officially.
When it comes to understanding the Texas Adoption Papers form, there are several misconceptions that can lead to confusion. It is important for individuals involved in the adoption process to have accurate information. Here are eight common misunderstandings:
Any part of the application can be filled out in either ink color: The instructions specify that the form should be filled out using blue or black ink only. This is a common requirement for official documents to ensure clarity and permanence.
Foreign-born adoptions do not require the names of the parents on the original birth certificate: For adoptions of Texas-born children, the parents' names are required to locate and amend the birth certificate. However, for foreign-born adoptions, the process accommodates the differences in documentation and does not have this requirement.
Understanding these aspects of the Texas Adoption Papers form is important for a smooth adoption process and for ensuring that all legal and administrative requirements are correctly met.
Filling out Texas Adoption Papers is an important step in the adoption process, ensuring that the adoptee's birth certificate reflects their new family. Here are some key takeaways for completing and using the form:
Understanding and carefully following these guidelines will help to ensure the smooth processing of the Texas Adoption Papers, supporting the formal recognition of the adoptive relationship and the issuance of an amended birth certificate. Be patient with the process, and reach out to the listed contacts for any questions or status updates.
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