Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.
In Texas, parental rights can only be terminated by a court order. There is no single form that will end parental rights, even if both parents agree.
Chapter 161 of the Texas Family Code governs procedures for both voluntary and involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship. When this process is voluntary, it is often referred to as "relinquishment." A court can also order the termination of rights, which is involuntary. This is a necessary step before the child can be adopted by another parent.
A termination of parental rights case can only be filed by certain people like the child's parents, relatives, or caregivers. Other organizations like the Department of Family & Protective Services or adoption agencies can also file a termination case.
There are strict requirements for who has "standing" and can file suit. See Texas Family Code Sections 102.003 through 102.006 for more details.
Because Texas and federal law may not be easy to understand, below you'll find a collection of resources that help to explain the law in simple terms.
We are often asked for forms for filing a general termination of parental rights case. We are not aware of any online forms for a general termination case, but there may be some online forms for related procedures.
There are no official forms for a general termination of parental rights case, but the library has drafting guides with sample forms and instructions on this procedure.
Some of these titles can be checked out remotely by Texas residents with a current library account. To sign up for an account, see our Get a Library Account page.
Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.