Georgia’s Putative Father Registry and Father’s Rights
In Georgia, the putative father registry is a statewide listing containing information about men who may be the biological father of a child. The registry includes men who have registered themselves as potential biological parents (but not “legal” fathers) as well as fathers who have signed acknowledgment forms for children born out of wedlock. Under Georgia law, birth fathers, even if they are unwed and have yet to prove paternity, have significant rights over their children, including input into whether or not they can be adopted and the opportunity to seek custody rights.
Father’s Right to Notification of Adoption Proceedings
If certain factors have been met, the birth father must have a chance to weigh in on consent before his children can be adopted. If he has not legitimized the child or otherwise been added to the putative father registry, a birth father will need to file with the registry in order to protect and exercise his legal rights to notice of any adoption proceedings regarding the child.
Regardless of a father’s status, he must be notified. Even if the putative father (on the putative father registry) has been determined to be the biological father via proof of paternity or the father has legitimated a child via a court decree, he has the right to be notified of potential adoption proceedings.
The Registration Process
If you have possibly fathered a child outside of wedlock, placing your name in the registry allows you to be notified in case a child who could be yours is put up for adoption. You do this by providing your and the mother’s information as well as some basic information about the child to the Office of Vital Records’ online form. However, if you are listed on the birth certificate, you will automatically be added to the putative registry.
Adoption Without the Father’s Consent
- Add your content…Abandonment;
- Disappearance after a diligent search has been conducted;
- Insanity or incapacity from surrendering rights;
- Failure to exercise proper prenatal care or control due to misconduct or inability;
- A finding that adoption is in the best interests of the child, given their emotional, physical, mental, and emotional needs;
- Failure to communicate or make a bona fide attempt to communicate for one year or longer prior to the filing of the adoption petition (without justifiable cause);
- Failure to provide for the care and support of a child for one year or more prior to the filing of the adoption petition and the court determines that adoption is in the best interests of the child;
- Murder of the mother of the child. This is a rare circumstance, but if a father is convicted of the homicide of the mother, his rights to the child will be terminated.
Formal Acknowledgment of Paternity versus Putative Father Registry
An acknowledgment of paternity is a formal, legal document that the parents can sign to confirm that a man is the biological father of a child. This form can be used as evidence in a legitimation lawsuit. It requires the consent and signature of both parents and is fairly hard to undo if the father later determines he is not the father.
The putative father registry is a list either parent can add a father to. Mothers can add a father to the registry by listing the father’s name on the birth certificate. A father can add himself by registering with the Office of Vital Records. A father can fairly easily remove himself from the registry if paternity has not otherwise been proven.
Practical Advice
If at all possible, the father should be present at the birth of their child. If the father is present, and the mother consents, the parents can sign an acknowledgment of paternity at the hospital. Although this form doesn’t guarantee the father many rights to the child, it is a start to obtaining those rights.
If signing an acknowledgment of paternity isn’t an option, and the mother does not list the father on the birth certificate, the father should promptly register with the putative father registry. As stated above, this registry is available through the Office of Vital Records. A prompt registry will ensure that there is no gap in which an adoption can occur without the father receiving notice and having his chance to object.
If obtaining custody and visitation rights with a child is the father’s endgame, then it would be best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss bringing a legitimation action. A legitimation action is the only way an unwed father can get concrete custody and visitation rights to his child.
Here are some scenarios of real-world situations that may occur:
Scenario 1: Mother is pregnant. She believes father is the biological father because they had sex at the time of conception. Mother lists father on the birth certificate. Father SHOULD automatically be added to the putative father registry, but it would be best to check.
Scenario 2: Mother gives birth to child. She does not list the father on the birth certificate. Father registers on the putative father registry through the Office of Vital Records. Therefore, he should receive notice of any adoption proceedings and he can contest the proceeding.
Georgia Father’s Rights Lawyers
Founded in 1988, Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor offers the very best in legal advice to fathers concerned about their legal rights to their children here in Georgia. You will absolutely need to consult with an experienced attorney before you are faced with or engage in any aspect of the adoption process. Contact us today to find out how we can help.
