Article here. Excerpt:
'A Putative Father Registry mandates that unwed fathers mail in a postcard to register their possible claim for paternity rights in a timely manner. Thus, the registry places the responsibility on the father. Mothers, however, do not need to identify the father or potential fathers.
Adoption agencies and attorneys favor registries because adoption proceedings can then commence without the possibility of disruption due to late paternity claims. Proponents claim:
- The privacy and safety of the mother is secured because she does not have to identify the possible father nor inform the father of her pregnancy.
- The privacy of the father is protected in that notice is mailed only to the secure address he has provided the registry.
- Both mother’s and father’s privacy are protected in that no names are published in the newspaper.
Thirty-four states use registries to give putative fathers an opportunity to file notice of their claims to paternity. In many states, a man who has not filed with the putative father registry will not receive notice of any termination of parental rights and/or any adoption court proceedings regarding the child.'
