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Putative Father Registry
Notice to Putative Fathers
Definition
A “putative father” is a man who may be a child’s father, but who: is not married to the child’s mother on or before the date that the child is born; or who has not established paternity of the child in a court proceeding before the filing of an adoption petition for the child.
Purpose
A putative father registry has been established to determine the identity and location of an undisclosed putative father who may have conceived a child for who an adoption petition has been, or may be filed in order to provide notice of the adoption to the putative father.
Obtaining Forms
Putative Father Registry
Indiana State Department of Health
2 N Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Fax: 317-233-1289
Requirements
A putative father, whose identity is not disclosed by the child’s mother to an attorney or agency arranging the adoption, must register to be entitled to receive notice of the child’s adoption.
When to Register
30 days after the child’s birth or up to the date of filing of a petition for the child’s adoption; whichever occurs later.
Consequences
The putative father loses the right to contest the adoption if he does not register and his parental rights will be terminated.
Questions
If you have any questions about your rights as a putative father, you should consult an attorney.
Definition
A “putative father” is a man who may be a child’s father, but who: is not married to the child’s mother on or before the date that the child is born; or who has not established paternity of the child in a court proceeding before the filing of an adoption petition for the child.
Purpose
A putative father registry has been established to determine the identity and location of an undisclosed putative father who may have conceived a child for who an adoption petition has been, or may be filed in order to provide notice of the adoption to the putative father.
Obtaining Forms
- Clerk of the Circuit Court: In each county in Indiana
- Indiana State Department of Health
- Adoption History Program Local Health Department
- Vital Records: In each county in Indiana
Putative Father Registry
Indiana State Department of Health
2 N Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Fax: 317-233-1289
Requirements
A putative father, whose identity is not disclosed by the child’s mother to an attorney or agency arranging the adoption, must register to be entitled to receive notice of the child’s adoption.
When to Register
30 days after the child’s birth or up to the date of filing of a petition for the child’s adoption; whichever occurs later.
Consequences
The putative father loses the right to contest the adoption if he does not register and his parental rights will be terminated.
Questions
If you have any questions about your rights as a putative father, you should consult an attorney.