Putative Father Registry

In order to preserve the right to notice and consent to an adoption, an unmarried biological father must file a notarized claim of paternity form with the Florida Putative Father Registry.

A putative father registry claim does not need the mother’s consent or involvement. The father’s name is not added to the child’s birth record. If the child is put up for adoption, the putative father must be included in the adoption proceedings.

A Claim of Paternity may be filed at any time prior to the child’s birth but may not be filed after the date a petition for termination of parental rights is filed.

Please read the Putative Father Brochure before you start the application process.

Florida Putative Father Registry - Claim of Paternity Form (English / Spanish / Creole), includes instructions, fee details and mailing information.

Note: By filing a notarized claim of paternity form with the Bureau of Vital Statistics, you confirm your willingness and intent to support the child for whom paternity is claimed in accordance with state law. When you register, you expressly consent to submit to and pay for, DNA testing upon the request of any party including an adoption entity with respect to the child referenced in the claim of paternity. Your failure to file a claim of paternity with the registry before the date a petition for termination of parental rights is filed will affect your parental rights. A putative father not married to the mother of the child and who fails to file with the Putative Father Registry is also barred from filing a paternity claim, pursuant to Chapter 742, Florida Statutes.

For more information please call 904-359-6900 or visit FloridaHealth.gov.