2015 Tennessee Code
Title 36 - Domestic Relations
Chapter 1 - Adoption
Part 1 - General Provisions
§ 36-1-131 - Search of sealed adoption record, sealed record or post-adoption records -- Opportunity to veto contact.

(a) If, after a search has been made of the registry, then either no person with whom contact was requested was located on the registry or the person named on the registry could not be notified at the address designated in the registry, then the department shall search the sealed adoption record, sealed record or the post-adoption records in its possession for information concerning the location of the person who is the subject of the search and shall conduct a diligent search for such person.

(b) (1) Upon locating such person whose relationship to the requesting party is confirmed by the person sought or whose relationship to the requesting party is or has been confirmed by other evidence satisfactory to the department, the department shall notify such person of the inquiry and of the department's determination of relationship to the requesting party.

(2) (A) Such person whose relationship to the requesting party is confirmed as provided in subdivision (b)(1), or that person's legal representative, may file a written consent with the registry.

(B) If the person wishes to veto contact, the person must, unless such person is an adopted person or a person for whom records are maintained as described in § 36-1-127(c)(1)(A) or a person for whom an automatic veto applies pursuant to § 36-1-130(a)(6)(A)(i), file a contact veto pursuant to §§ 36-1-128 and 36-1-129 and must pay any necessary fees, within ninety (90) days of the date the department gives oral or written notice of that time period for filing a contact veto. If the contact veto is timely and effectively filed pursuant to this part, then the department shall notify the requesting party in writing and no contact shall be permitted with that person with whom contact was sought. If the contact veto is not timely and effectively filed, the department shall notify the person requesting the search, and that person shall be permitted to attempt contact with the person or persons sought unless such person is an adopted person or a person for whom records are maintained as described in § 36-1-127(c)(1)(A), or unless such person is a person for whom an automatic veto applies pursuant to § 36-1-130(a)(6)(A)(i). Written notice shall be effective upon the date the notice is sent.

(c) If the person who is the subject of the search whose relationship to the requesting party has been confirmed by evidence satisfactory to the department cannot be located after diligent search, including the sending of notice to the last known mailing address of such person, and, unless such person is an adopted person or a person for whom records are maintained as described in § 36-1-127(c)(1)(A) or unless such person is a person for whom an automatic veto applies pursuant to § 36-1-130(a)(6)(A)(i), the department shall inform the person requesting the search of this fact in writing, and that person shall be under no further restrictions pursuant to § 36-1-130 against contact with the person who has been sought.