HOW TO LOCATE YOUR CHILD

Most Texas court orders involving children require both parents to keep each other and the court informed about their current residence and place of employment.  A court order that outlines visitation will be helpful in trying to locate your child. Obtain a copy of the court order from the district court clerk in the county where a decree was issued or paternity was established.   

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) provides locate-only services to individuals with OAG cases who are not receiving full child support services, but who request help in locating a parent. This is only for the purpose of establishing a court order for paternity, child support, or medical support; collecting court-ordered support; or enforcing custody or visitation.  If the other parent disappeared with the child or is intentionally hiding the child, the search can be complicated. Consider consulting a lawyer for your options. You may also need the assistance of a private detective or law enforcement officials. 

A non-custodial parent, without the assistance of a court or agent of the court, cannot apply for locate-only services. You may apply for State Parent Locator Service if you are:

• the custodial parent with physical possession of the child(ren);
• a person (other than a parent) who, for at least the past six months, has had physical possession of the child(ren);
• the legal guardian or managing conservator with legal custody of the child(ren);
• a judge or agent of a court with jurisdiction over the paternity and/or support case;
• a court with jurisdiction to enforce custody or visitation; or
• the attorney of the child(ren) for whom paternity and/or support is sought.

An English version of the application is at: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/pdfs/1a010e.pdf

A Spanish version of the application is at: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/pdfs/1a010s.pdf

Complete the application, enclose a money order or check, and send it to:

Office of the Attorney General
Child Support Division - MC 036
State Parent Locate Service
P.O. Box 12400
Austin, TX 78711-2400
 

OTHER PLACES THAT CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION ON MISSING CHILDREN

Check with the school district and request copies of your children’s school records for a possible new school’s location. You must show your court order to the school district to show you are entitled to those records.

You may request copies of your children’s medical records from the last doctor your children saw (if known). You may also check with Child Protective Services for information on the children, if any, by completing a Freedom of Information Act request. Take your court order with you to show you are entitled to those records.