US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

      (a)      (1)      Within 72 hours after a person takes custody of a child of unknown parentage, the person shall prepare and file a report, on the form that the Secretary provides.

            (2)      The report shall state:

                  (i)      The date and place of finding of the child;

                  (ii)      The sex, color or race, and approximate date of birth of the child, as determined by a physician;

                  (iii)      The name and address of the person with whom the child is placed for care;

                  (iv)      The name that the custodian gives the child; and

                  (v)      Any other information that the Secretary requires.

      (b)      The person shall enter the place where the child was found as the place of birth.

      (c)      A report under this section is the certificate of birth for the child.

      (d)      If the child is identified and a certificate of birth is found or obtained, the report under this section:

            (1)      Shall be sealed; and

            (2)      May be reopened only:

                  (i)      On order of a court of competent jurisdiction;

                  (ii)      On written order of a designee of the Secretary; or

                  (iii)      As the rules and regulations of the Secretary provide.