---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 1951"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "1951"
heading: "Information availability to and disclosure by Secretary"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/1951"
units:
  - "Chapter 21 — Indian Child Welfare"
  - "Subchapter III — Recordkeeping, Information Availability, and Timetables"
---

# §1951. Information availability to and disclosure by Secretary

- (a) **Copy of final decree or order; other information; anonymity affidavit; exemption from Freedom of Information Act—** Any State court entering a final decree or order in any [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4) adoptive placement after November 8, 1978, shall provide the [Secretary](/usc/25/1903.md?p=11) with a copy of such decree or order together with such other information as may be necessary to show—
  - (1) the name and tribal affiliation of the child;
  - (2) the names and addresses of the biological [parents](/usc/25/1903.md?p=9);
  - (3) the names and addresses of the adoptive [parents](/usc/25/1903.md?p=9); and
  - (4) the identity of any agency having files or information relating to such adoptive placement.

  Where the court records contain an affidavit of the biological [parent](/usc/25/1903.md?p=9) or [parents](/usc/25/1903.md?p=9) that their identity remain confidential, the court shall include such affidavit with the other information. The [Secretary](/usc/25/1903.md?p=11) shall insure that the confidentiality of such information is maintained and such information shall not be subject to the Freedom of Information Act ([5 U.S.C. 552](/usc/5/552.md)), as amended.

- (b) **Disclosure of information for enrollment of Indian child in tribe or for determination of member rights or benefits; certification of entitlement to enrollment—** Upon the request of the adopted [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4) over the age of eighteen, the adoptive or foster [parents](/usc/25/1903.md?p=9) of an [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4), or an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/1903.md?p=8), the [Secretary](/usc/25/1903.md?p=11) shall disclose such information as may be necessary for the enrollment of an [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4) in the tribe in which the child may be eligible for enrollment or for determining any rights or benefits associated with that membership. Where the documents relating to such child contain an affidavit from the biological [parent](/usc/25/1903.md?p=9) or [parents](/usc/25/1903.md?p=9) requesting anonymity, the [Secretary](/usc/25/1903.md?p=11) shall certify to the [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4)’s tribe, where the information warrants, that the child’s parentage and other circumstances of birth entitle the child to enrollment under the criteria established by such tribe.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–608, title III, § 301, Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3077.)