Florida Adoption Registry: Download free adoption registry forms, search the putative father registry in Florida. Free instructions, procedures, and forms.
The Department of Children and Families maintains an Adoption Registry for the benefit of adopted children. At or about the time that the birth parents sign the consent for adoption, the initial election to be on the registry or not is also generally made by a signed statement.
If the birth parent elects to be listed on the Florida adoption registry, then that parent’s identity may be released to the child after the child attains the age of 18 years.
The birth parent who elects to be on the registry should keep the Florida adoption registry advised of name and address changes, so current information can be supplied to the child.
On the other hand, if the birth parent elects not to be on the Florida adoption registry, no information will be given to the child by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) after the child attains age 18.
A birth parent may change his or her mind concerning the Florida adoption registry as time passes. A birth parent may go on or off the Florida adoption registry as many times as necessary until the child attains the age of 18.
After the child attains the age of 18, if he or she desires to learn the identity of the birth parents, the child may inquire of the Florida Adoption Registry. If the birth parent is listed, then that information will be given to the child.
If the birth parent is not listed, it is because no authorization was given to DCF to release this information and no identifying information will be released. Unless the child makes an inquiry, no information is extended from the Florida adoption registry.
If the birth parent is listed on the Florida adoption registry and the child makes an inquiry, the decision of whether or not the child desires to contact the birth parent lies with the child.
Section 63.054, Florida Statutes has provided for the establishment of a Putative Father Registry in the Office of Vital Statistics (OVS), Florida Department of Health (DOH).
The purpose of the Florida adoption registry is to permit a man alleging to be the biological father of a child to assert his parentage, independent of the mother, and preserve his rights as a parent.
The Florida adoption registry may also expedite adoptions of children whose biological fathers are unwilling to assume responsibility for their child. For purposes of this provision registrant means an unmarried biological father.
The information provided is not designed to be legal advice. Questions concerning paternity, presumptions of paternity, or rights and responsibilities of a parent should be directed to an attorney.
If an unmarried biological father fails to take the actions that are available to him to establish a relationship with his child, his parental interest may be lost entirely, or greatly diminished, by his failure to timely comply with the available legal steps to substantiate a parental interest.
How to Register With, Update or Search the Florida Putative Father Registry
All of the applications can be completed online using your computer. After completing your application please print, sign, and mail it to the address on the form.
Sections 63.053 and 63.054, Florida Statutes, provides an "unmarried biological father" the opportunity to assert his claim of paternity by filing the Florida Putative Father Registry
A $9.00 filing and indexing fee for filing a claim of paternity is required and must be submitted with the Florida Putative Father Registry - Claim of Paternity.
A Claim of Paternity may be filed at any time prior to the child's birth but a claim of paternity may not be filed after the date a petition is filed for termination of parental rights.
The child's birth record is not impacted by such a claim and if the father wishes to be listed on the birth record as father, he must have the mother's agreement or seek an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.
The minor was conceived or born while the father was married to the mother;
The minor is his child by adoption;
The minor had been established by court proceeding to be his child;
He has filed an affidavit of paternity by acknowledging paternity in conjunction with the child's mother at the hospital at the time of child's birth or by subsequently filing an acknowledgment of paternity in conjunction with the child's mother with the State Office of Vital Statistics both of which constitutes the establishment of paternity as provided for in section 742.10, Florida Statutes (Florida adoption registry).
Updating Information in Registry or Filing a Revocation
A Revocation of Claim of Paternity may be made at any time prior to the birth by filing a Florida Putative Father Registry - Update to Registration form.
This form is also used for updating previously provided information in the claim of paternity or naming a representative or agent. There is no fee required for updating a previously filed claim of paternity.
Searching the Registry
In each termination of parental rights or each adoption proceeding filed under Chapter 63, Florida Statutes a search of the Florida Putative Father Registry shall be requested by the petitioner using the Florida Putative Father Registry - Application for Search form.
A petitioner eligible to request such a search is defined in s 63.541, Florida Statutes as:
a) an adoption entity; upon filing of a request for a diligent search of the Florida Putative Father Registry in connection with the planned adoption of a child.
b) the registrant unmarried biological father, upon receipt of notarized request for a copy of his registry entry only.
c) The court, upon issuance of a court order concerning a petitioner acting Pro Se (self represented) in an action under this chapter.
3) A $9.00 Search fee is required for searching the registry.
4) A certified certificate shall be issued by this Office of Vital Statistics as to the results of the search.
The Office of Vital Statistics has no legislative requirement for following up with an applicant after the initial search and advising of any claim that has been received subsequent to the initial search.
Depending on where you are in the legal proceedings process, this may mean that you must again search the registry for filing with the court. Florida law requires that the registry be searched at the time a Petition for Termination of Parental Rights or adoption proceedings are filed.
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