---

25 C.F.R. § 23.71   Recordkeeping and information availability.

Title 25 - Indians

Title 25: Indians
PART 23—INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT
Subpart G—Administrative Provisions

§ 23.71   Recordkeeping and information availability.

(a)(1) Any state court entering a final decree or adoptive order for any Indian child shall provide the Secretary or his/her designee within 30 days a copy of said decree or order, together with any information necessary to show:

(i) The Indian child's name, birthdate and tribal affiliation, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 1951;

(ii) Names and addresses of the biological parents and the adoptive parents; and

(iii) Identity of any agency having relevant information relating to said adoptive placement.

(2) To assure and maintain confidentiality where the biological parent(s) have by affidavit requested that their identity remain confidential, a copy of such affidavit shall be provided to the Secretary or his/her designee. Information provided pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 1951(a) is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended. The Secretary or his/her designee shall ensure that the confidentiality of such information is maintained. The address for transmittal of information required by 25 U.S.C. 1951(a) is: Chief, Division of Social Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop 310–SIB, Washington, DC 20240. The envelope containing all such information should be marked “Confidential.” This address shall be sent to the highest court of appeal, the Attorney General and the Governor of each state. In some states, a state agency has been designated to be repository for all state court adoption information. Where such a system is operative, that agency may assume reporting responsibilities for the purposes of the Act.

(b) The Division of Social Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, is authorized to receive all information and to maintain a central file on all state Indian adoptions. This file shall be confidential and only designated persons shall have access to it. Upon the request of an adopted Indian individual over the age of 18, the adoptive or foster parents of an Indian child, or an Indian tribe, the Division of Social Services shall disclose such information as may be necessary for purposes of tribal enrollment or determining any rights or benefits associated with tribal membership, except the names of the biological parents where an affidavit of confidentiality has been filed, to those persons eligible under the Act to request such information. The chief tribal enrollment officer of the BIA is authorized to disclose enrollment information relating to an adopted Indian child where the biological parents have by affidavit requested anonymity. In such cases, the chief tribal enrollment officer shall certify the child's tribe, and, where the information warrants, that the child's parentage and other circumstances entitle the child to enrollment consideration under the criteria established by the tribe.