What is the putative father registry in Georgia?
In Georgia, the putative father registry is a statewide listing containing information about men who may be the biological father of a child. Georgia's putative father registry lists the name, address, and social security number of men who have either:
(1) Acknowledged that they are the father of a child in a signed writing called an Acknowledgement of Paternity, or
(2) Registered themselves with the putative father registry to indicate the possibility that they may be the father of a child.
See O.C.G.A. § 19-11-9(d)(1).
Why should a father register with the putative father registry in Georgia?
A man should register with Georgia's putative father registry if:
- He believes he may be the father of a child in Georgia
- The mother of the child is preventing him from having contact with the child
- He does not know where his child is currently living
It is important for fathers who believe they may be the father of a child, even if paternity has yet to be established via a blood test, to register with the putative father registry, because registering will ensure that father is notified about any adoptions petitions that may have been filed concerning the child. Additionally, registering with the putative father registry will also ensure that the father will receive notice of other court proceedings where his parental rights are subject to termination. To guarantee adequate notice of any legal proceedings involving the child, the putative father should register as soon as he becomes aware that he may be the father of a child, preferably before the child's birth. See O.C.G.A. § 15-11-83(i)(3).
How does a father register with Georgia's putative father registry?
In some situations, a putative or alleged father's name and information will automatically appear on the Registry. For example, a father may be automatically registered if his name appears on the child's birth certificate. In situations where a father name does not automatically appear on the registry, he must register with the state agency that maintains the registry, the Georgia Department of Human Resources division of Vital Records. As mentioned above, a father may register under one of two categories: 1) a father may claim that he is the father of a child, or 2) a father may claim that he is possible the father of a child.
Fathers who have not been automatically registered may find a putative rather registry registration form at their county's Vital Records Registrar's Office, Health Department, or probate court office. Additionally, the form may be obtained online from the Department of Human Resources, Division of Vital Records. If a father has already registered with the putative father registry, but needs to update information such as his address, he may mail or fax a letter to the address below. In the letter the father should include his complete name, Social Security number, old information as it was originally entered in the Registry, and the new information as it should be shown in the Registry.
Putative Father Registry
Vital Records
2600 Skyland Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30319-3640
FAX (404) 679-4730