The Putative Father Registry was established by Arizona Revised Statute
§8-106.01 and is maintained by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Vital Records.
Who is a Putative Father?
A putative father is a person who claims to be the father of a child and wants to establish paternity. This person also wants to receive notices of any adoption proceedings concerning the child.
What is the Purpose of the Putative Father Registry?
The registry serves two purposes:
1. Enables a putative father to notify interested parties of his claim of paternity so that he can receive notice of any proposed adoption proceedings.
2. Protects the security and stability of adoptions
A putative father who files a Notice of Claim of Paternity before the birth of a child or within 30 days after the birth of a child is entitled to receive notice of any judicial hearing regarding the child’s adoption.
Where to Find the Notice of Claim of Paternity Forms
According to statute, the Department of Health Services’, Office of Vital Records shall provide the Notice of Claim of Paternity form and issue the forms to any potential putative father. The Office of Vital Records is also required to disseminate these forms to the following organizations to have the form available to the public:
- Office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of each county
- Hospitals
- License child placement agencies
- The Department of Economic Security
- Jails and Prison
- State Department Corrections facilities
- The Department of Juvenile Corrections facilities
Information Required on the Notice of Claim of Paternity Form
The Notice of Claim of Paternity must include all of the following information:
- The putative father’s name
- The putative father’s address (The putative father must notify the state Office of Vital Record of any change in address.)
- The name of the birth mother
- The last known address of the birth mother
- The date of birth of the child or the probable month and year of the expected birth of the child.
- The signature of the alleged father (must be notarized).
How to File the Notice of Claim of Paternity Form
1. The individual who presumes he is the father of a child shall complete the “Notice of Claim of Paternity” form and have his signature notarized. After the form has been notarized, it shall be filed with the state Office of Vital Records (address identified below).
Office of Vital Records
Attn: Putative Father Registry
P.O. Box 3887
Phoenix, Arizona 85030
2. The putative father can file the Notice of Claim of Paternity form before the child’s birth or up to 30 days after the child’s birth.
3. There is no fee to file a Notice of Claim of Paternity.
4. After the Notice of Claim of Paternity form has been received by the Office of Vital Records, a letter will be sent to the father to confirm his name has been added to the registry.
If you have any questions, please call 602-364-2429.
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