State registry helps adoptees

For some, it's a medical need to know. For others, it is the desire to put life's jigsaw puzzle pieces together. For these and other reasons, adoption information provides answers to long-held questions.

In Texas, adoptions records are confidential and court records sealed. People usually have little or no information about their birth parents, siblings or children placed for adoption. But for those looking for information, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) offers a chance to be matched with birth family members.

The Texas Vital Statistics Central Adoption Registry can reunite adult adoptees with birth parents or siblings who sign up looking for each other. The DSHS registry, which began in 1984, has registered more than 8,100 people looking for one another, including adult adoptees, birth mothers, adult siblings and birth fathers.

To get an application, call 512-458-7388 or toll free 888- 96307111, ext. 7388 or download an application online at www. dshs.state.tx.us/vs.reqproc/ adoptionregistry.shtm.