Deciding to find one's birth family can be a life-changing decision. It's a personal journey that could alter one's perceptions of himself and his family.

"Many adoptees want to know who their biological parents are and their ancestry," said Patricia Molina, Texas Department of State Health Services coordinator for the Central Adoption Registry. "Many people are interested in finding out more about their family background, where they get their talents, or about their family medical history."

The Texas Vital Statistics Central Adoption Registry reunites adult adoptees with birth parents or siblings who register looking for them. This registry is unique because it has the authority to access sealed files or confidential records without a court order.

Information may be released when an adopted person and his or her birth parent or a biological sibling both register voluntarily. The registry releases identifying information after the adopted person and the biological relative complete the following:

• A consent form to release personal information with their name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

• A one-hour post-adoption counseling session that educates and prepares each person for the reunion.

• A written biography or history about the person's life.

• Copies of pictures from infancy to adulthood, school pictures, their current family or other visual items.

Once these conditions are met, the registry sends each participant the registry information and the biography of the other person. Then it's up to both parties to decide on when and where to meet.

"Meeting your birth family may be very healing," Molina said. "However, it's important to be prepared for all types of scenarios because there are no guarantees what will happen or what you may find."

The Office of Vital Statistics keeps the original birth certificates so it's easy to authenticate a match between two biologically related people. This saves a lot of time without going through the court system or searching through other sources.

There are more than 30 childplacing agencies in Texas that operate their own voluntary adoption registry.

The Central Adoption Registry maintains a list of these child-placing agencies. If an agency was involved in the adoption, the registry will identify that agency so services can be requested from them.

Basic requirements for the Central Adoption Registry include:

• a person must be adopted in Texas or be born in Texas and adopted in another state.

• be the birth parent or sibling of the adoptee.

• Be 18 years of age or older.

• Provide proof of age and identity (a copy of a birth certificate and valid government-issued photo identification).

• Make a check or money order for $30 payable to DSHS.

To receive an application and learn how to apply, call the Central Adoption Registry at (888) 963- 7111, ext. 7388, or visit the Texas Department of State Health and Human Services Vital Statistics Web site at www.dshs.state.tx.us/ vs/default.shtm.