Nevada Adoption Reunion Registry

Nevada Adoption Reunion Registry

The Nevada Adoption Reunion Registry was developed in 1979 (Nevada Revised Statute 127.007). Nevada's Adoption Reunion Registry database contains contact information provided by Birth Parents, Adoptees, and Relatives (to the 3rd Degree of Consanguinity). If you are an Adoptee, Birth Parent or a Relative and the adoption was finalized in the State of Nevada, you are eligible to register.


The Registry is a free, mutual consent registry; both applicants must apply for there to be a family connection (match). Adoptees can be matched with Birth Parents, Siblings and Relatives within the 3rd Degree of Consanguinity. A family connection (match) can only occur between applicants with a notarized application on file.

Who Is Eligible to Register?

Adoptees*(18 years or older) whose adoption was finalized in Nevada.
Birth Parents* who have relinquished a child for adoption or whose parental rights have been terminated by a Nevada Court.
Relatives* who are related to an adoptee within a third degree of consanguinity. ( DCFS 3rd Degree of Consanguinity)

*Indicates this form requires notarization

How Do I Register?

Contact the Adoption Reunion Registry Coordinator at (775) 684-7294 or email
DCFSReunionRegistry@dcfs.nv.gov for more information or questions.
You can email your notarized application to DCFS ReunionRegistry@dcfs.nv.gov. Emailed applications are required to be in a PDF (portable document format). We reserve the right of refusal for any emailed applications that are not notarized, illegible, un-printable or not in a PDF (portable document format).

Which Form Do I Use?

Adoptees*: Please complete the Adoptee Application. (electronic or printable)
Birth Parents*: Please complete the Birth Parent Application. (electronic or printable)
Relatives*: This application is a two-part form. Complete Relative Part One Application (electronic or printable) to register your contact information. The Adoption Reunion Registry Coordinator will contact you if there is a family connection (match). Next step: Relative Part Two Birth Parent Consent Application (electronic or printable) must be completed by birth parent and notarized. Exception: If birth parent is deceased, consideration may be given to a death certificate.

*Indicates this form requires notarization

How Long Will It Take?

Applicants submitting a registry application will receive written confirmation within 30 days of receipt. Requests for non-identifying or medical information will be responded to within 60 days of receipt.

Requests For Non-Identifying Information*

NAC 127.371 outlines the information that can be provided by the agency to the public, biological parents, adoptive parents and adopted persons. This is general information that is in the file at the time of the adoption and can only be released to an Adoptee or an Adoptive Parent (if the child is under the age of 18). Some non-identifying information that might be found in the file is the physical description of the birth parent(s), marital status, ethnicity, education, occupation, religion, and health. Additional non-identifying information may include adoptee's time of birth, place of birth, hospital, birth weight, length and if there were any other siblings at the time of birth.
The consent of a birth parent is not needed for an adoptee to request any non-identifying information available in the file at the time of the adoption. Adoptees are not required to register for the Adoption Reunion Registry to obtain non-identifying information. Complete the Request for Non-Identifying Information form ( electronic or printable) and it requires to be notarized.

*Indicates this form requires notarization.


NAC 127.371 (5) allows the Agency, upon request, to provide to an adopted person a copy of the court order for adoption and may inform him or her if his or her biological parents are deceased.

Birth Parent Request for Copy of Adoption Documents They Executed*

Birth Parents may request copies of adoption documents they signed during the adoption process that are included in the closed adoption records (NAC 127.371 #3). Please complete Birth Parent Request for Copy of Adoption Documents They Executed form (electronic or printable). This request can take up to 60 days to complete.

*Indicates this form requires notarization.

How Do I Withdraw or Update My Contact Information?

At any time, an application can be withdrawn from the registry by submitting a “Request for Change of Address or Other Registration Changes” form (electronic or printable) and choosing the check box "Request to WITHDRAW my application."


This same form is to be used for updating your contact and medical information. Please remember it is your responsibility to keep the registry current, this includes change of name, address, phone number, etc.


The completed Request for Change of Address or Other Registration Changes form (electronic or printable) can be mailed to the Adoption Reunion Registry, Division of Child, and Family Services, 4126 Technology Way, 3rd Floor, Carson City, Nevada 89706.

Links to Petition the Court to Unseal Adoption Records

In the State of Nevada, all adoption records filed with the Court are sealed and are confidential files. A court order is required to unseal these court records. Because of confidentiality, you will need to illustrate to the Court that you have just cause to unseal the adoption records; it is the judge’s discretion whether you have just cause to unseal these confidential records.

    Link to Clark County 8th Judicial District Court’s Self-Help Center: http://www.familylawselfhelpcenter.org/images/forms/misc/unseal-adoption-packet-pdf.pdf

        Link to Washoe County Second Judicial District Court’s Self-Help Center: https://www.washoecourts.com/Main/FormsAndPacketsUse the following path: Miscellaneous Forms; Ex Parte Motion to Open Adoption File (13th folder on list).

          Link to State of Nevada “Self-Help Center” http://selfhelp.nvcourts.gov/ Use the following path to find your District Court: click on Find My Court, and on the right side bar, scroll down to find your District Court, click on Visit Site>>. This page provides contact information to inquire on their process to petition to unseal adoption records.

            NRS 127.140: Confidentiality of Hearings, Files and Records

            NRS 127.140 Confidentiality of Hearings, Files and Records*:
                #2.  The files and records of the court in adoption proceedings are not open to inspection by any person except:
                     (a) Upon an order of the court expressly so permitting pursuant to a petition setting forth the reasons therefor;
                     (b) If a natural parent and the child are eligible to receive information from the State Register for Adoptions; or
                #6.  The portions of the files and records which are made available for inspection by an adoptive parent, natural parent or sibling pursuant to subsection 3, 4 or 5 must not include any confidential information, including, without limitation, any information that identifies or would lead to the identification of a natural parent if the identity of the natural parent is not included in the agreement for post-adoptive contact or order for visitation, as applicable.
            [14:332:1953] — (NRS A 1979, 1283; 2005, 1682; 2007, 2074; 2017, 1987)

            *Subsections relevant to information that can be provided to Adoptees or Birth Parents

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