Rule 5180:7-1-03 | Putative father registry.
(A) Who is a putative father?
As defined in section 3107.01 of the Revised Code, a putative father is a man, including one under age eighteen, who may be a child's father and to whom all of the following apply:
(1) He was not married to the child's mother at the time of the child's conception or birth;
(2) He has not adopted the child;
(3) He has not been determined, prior to the date a petition to adopt the child is filed, to have a parent and child relationship with the child by a court proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.01 to 3111.18 of the Revised Code, a court proceeding in another state, an administrative agency proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.38 to 3111.54 of the Revised Code, or an administrative agency proceeding in another state; and
(4) He has not acknowledged paternity of the child pursuant to sections 3111.21 to 3111.35 of the Revised Code.
(B) What is the Ohio putative father registry (OPFR)?
The OPFR is a registry established and maintained by the department of children and youth (DCY) and provides for the following:
(1) Allows a putative father to register to be notified in the event that a petition to adopt a minor has been filed for a child the father claims is his.
(2) Allows a mother, a public children services agency (PCSA), a private child placing agency (PCPA), a private noncustodial agency (PNA), or an attorney arranging an adoption to request a search to determine if a child has a registered putative father.
(3) Identifies if a putative father is registered for the child and is to be contacted prior to finalization of the adoption.
(C) As used in this rule, what entities are included in the term 'agency'?
As used in this rule, 'agency' includes the following:
(1) PCSA;
(2) PCPA; or
(3) PNA.
(D) How does a putative father register with the OPFR?
The putative father may register with the OPFR in the following ways:
(1) Online at https://childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-families/family-support-stabilization/putative-father-registry; or
(2) Submit a completed DCY 01694 "Ohio Putative Father Registry - Registration for Fathers" to DCY via email at ohiopfr@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov.
(E) How may a putative father get assistance in registering with the OPFR?
The putative father may contact DCY for assistance in registering with the OPFR.
(F) When may a putative father register with the OPFR?
A putative father may register with the OPFR at any time. In order to preserve his right to consent to an adoption, the putative father is to register prior to the birth of the child or within fifteen days following the birth of the child.
(G) How may an attorney, a mother, or an agency request a search of the OPFR?
An attorney, a mother, or an agency may request a search of the OPFR online at https://childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-families/family-support-stabilization/putative-father-registry.
(H) When is a search of the OPFR to be requested?
An attorney, a mother, or an agency may request a search of the OPFR at any time; however, for purposes of adoption finalization, a search of the OPFR is to be requested no earlier than sixteen days after the child's birth and the results filed with the court prior to the issuance of a final adoption decree or interlocutory order of adoption.
(I) When is a search of the OPFR not required?
An attorney, a mother, or an agency is not required to search the OPFR if one of the following applies:
(1) The mother was married at the time the child was born or conceived.
(2) The parent placing the child previously adopted the child.
(3) A man has been determined to have a parent and child relationship with the minor, prior to the date the petition to adopt the child is filed, by:
(a) A court proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.01 to 3111.18 of the Revised Code;
(b) A court proceeding similar to that in paragraph (I)(3)(a) of this rule in another state;
(c) An administrative agency proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.38 to 3111.54 of the Revised Code;
(d) An administrative agency proceeding similar to paragraph (I)(3)(c) of this section in another state; or,
(e) A signed acknowledgment pursuant to section 2151.232, 3111.25, or 3111.821 of the Revised Code.
(4) The PCSA or PCPA has permanent custody of the child pursuant to Chapter 2151. or division (B) of section 5103.15 of the Revised Code.
(J) What is to occur if the search of the OPFR identifies a putative father?
(1) If it is determined that a putative father is registered for the minor, DCY is to provide the attorney, mother or agency a certified copy of the putative father's registration form.
(2) Within ten days of providing the certified copy to the attorney, mother or agency, DCY is to provide written notice of the following to the putative father:
(a) That he may be the father of the minor he claimed on the registration form;
(b) That the minor is being or may be placed for adoption; and
(c) Of his right to consent or refuse to consent to the minor's adoption to the extent provided under Chapter 3107. of the Revised Code.
(K) What is to occur if the search of the OPFR does not identify a putative father?
If it is determined that a putative father is not registered for the minor, DCY is to provide the attorney, mother or agency a certified written statement of the results, including the date the search request was submitted.
(L) What is an attorney, a mother, or an agency to do upon receipt of the OPFR search results?
The attorney, a mother, or an agency is to file a certified copy of the results received from OPFR with the court, prior to the issuance of the final adoption decree or the interlocutory order of adoption.
(M) What additional steps is a PCSA or PCPA to complete when determining if there is a putative father?
The PCSA or PCPA is to work with the mother to identify the name of the child's father and determine if either parent is eligible for membership with an American Indian tribe.
Last updated July 15, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Supplemental Information
Amplifies: 3107.01, 3107.06, 3107.061, 3107.0611, 3107.0612, 3107.0613, 3107.0614, 3107.062, 3107.063, 3107.064, 3107.067, 3107.068, 3107.069, 3107.07
Five Year Review Date: 7/15/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 1/14/1983, 6/1/1985 (Emer.), 8/12/1985, 9/18/1996, 2/13/1998 (Emer.), 5/14/1998, 9/1/2003, 5/15/2009, 3/1/2011, 10/1/2014, 8/3/2015, 2/1/2021