Authorization for Nonparent Care of a Child

An Authorization Agreement for Voluntary Adult Caregiver ("Authorization Agreement" for short) authorizes the nonparent to:

1. Consent to medical treatment for the child; 
2. Get insurance for the child; 
3. Enroll the child in school or daycare;
4. Consent to extracurricular activities; 
5. Consent to the child getting a driver’s license or state identification card; 
6. Consent to the child getting a job; 
7. Apply for and receive public benefits on behalf of the child; 
8. Get copies of the child's state-issued personal identification documents, such as the birth certificate; and
9. Get copies of federally issued personal identification documents such as the social security card (to the extent authorized under federal law).

An Authorization Agreement does not authorize the nonparent to consent to an abortion or emergency contraception for the child. 

You can find the Authorization Agreement form with a more specific list of authorized actions on the Department of Family and Protective Services website.

The law about nonparent authorization agreements can be read in Texas Family Code chapter 34.

Any adult caregiver can be authorized to make decisions for a child using the Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relative or Voluntary Caregiver form. See Texas Family Code 34.0015.

The law allows any adult caregiver to be authorized to provide temporary care for a child using an Authorization Agreement form. Before September 1, 2017, an Authorization Agreement could only be issued to the child’s grandparent, the child’s aunt or uncle, the child’s adult sibling, or another voluntary caregiver (if the child is placed with the caregiver under a Child Protective Services (CPS) parental child safety agreement). See House Bill 871. 

Talk with a lawyer if you want someone other than the nonparents listed above to care for and make decisions for your child.

If you are not on the list of people who can be authorized to make decisions for a child using an Authorization Agreement, you may want to consider asking for:

• A custody order. Review and use the guide I need a SAPCR (custody) order. I am not the child’s parent. to get information, instructions, and forms.
• A temporary authorization order. Read Going to Court to Get Temporary Authorization to Care for a Child for more information.

At least one parent and the nonparent must sign the Authorization Agreement form.

Yes. You must mail a copy of the signed Authorization Agreement form to the other parent within 10 days of signing the form. Make sure to send the signed form by certified mail return receipt requested (or international registered mail if applicable) and by regular mail.

Note: You do not have to send a copy of the Authorization Agreement form to a parent whose parental rights were terminated.

And, if a parent who did not sign the Authorization Agreement does not have court-ordered visitation or access, you do not have to mail a copy of the agreement to the non-signing parent if either of the following applies:

• The other parent is subject to a protective order involving you or one of your children, or
• The other parent was convicted of certain crimes.

The Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relative form includes a specific list of exceptions to the mailing requirement.

Important! Talk with a lawyer if there has been violence or if you are concerned about a non-signing parent having a copy of the Authorization Agreement form. Call the Family Violence Legal Line at 800-374-4673 for free advice.

Court permission is needed only if:

• There is a current court order about the child, or
• There is a pending case in court involving the child.

Talk to a lawyer if you need court permission.

If you do not already have the parent's written authorization, Texas Family Code chapter 35 establishes a way to ask the court to get that permission. Read Going to Court to Get Temporary Authorization to Care for a Child if you think you need to get court permission.

The Authorization Agreement remains effective until you cancel it in writing or until the expiration date you wrote on the form. If you check the appropriate box on the form, the Authorization Agreement form can remain effective after your incapacity or death.

If a court case about the child occurs after the Authorization Agreement form is signed, the judge will decide if the document remains in effect.

Yes. If you are the parent, you can take back or cancel an Authorization Agreement at any time in writing. Read Texas Family Code 34.008. However, leaving your child with a nonparent for an extended time could affect your rights as a parent. Talk to a lawyer before signing an Authorization Agreement.

If you are the nonparent and are concerned about the parent (or parents) canceling the Authorization Agreement, you may want to consider getting a custody order. Read and use the guide I need a SAPCR (custody) order. I am not the child’s parent. to get information, instructions, and forms. Talk to a lawyer if you have questions or need advice.

The Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relative or Voluntary Caregiver is available in the forms bank web site of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.