Sec. 4. Notice of the potential adoption under this chapter must be provided to the putative father of the child in substantially the following form:

     “______________ (putative father’s name), who has been named as the father of the unborn child of __________ (birth mother’s name), or who claims to be the father of the unborn child, is notified that __________ (birth mother’s name) has expressed an intention to secure an adoptive placement for the child.

     If ___________ (putative father’s name) seeks to contest the adoption of the unborn child, the putative father must file a paternity action to establish his paternity in relation to the unborn child not later than fifteen (15) days after the receipt of this notice.

     If ___________ (putative father’s name) does not file a paternity action not more than fifteen (15) days after receiving this notice, or having filed a paternity action in Indiana or any other jurisdiction, is unable to establish paternity of the child, the putative father’s consent to the adoption or the voluntary termination of the putative father’s parent-child relationship under IC 31-35-1, or both, shall be irrevocably implied and the putative father loses the right to contest the adoption, the validity of his implied consent to the adoption, the termination of the parent-child relationship, and the validity of his implied consent to the termination of the parent-child relationship. In addition, the putative father loses the right to establish paternity of the child, by affidavit or otherwise, in Indiana or any other jurisdiction, except as provided in IC 31-19-9-17(b).

     Nothing ____________ (mother’s name) or anyone else says to __________ (putative father’s name) relieves ____________ (putative father’s name) of his obligations under this notice.

     Under Indiana law, a putative father is a person who is named as or claims that he may be the father of a child born out of wedlock but who has not yet been legally proven to be the child’s father.

     For purposes of this notice, _____________ (putative father’s name) is a putative father under the laws in Indiana regarding adoption.

     This notice complies with IC 31-19-3-4 but does not exhaustively set forth the putative father’s legal obligations under the Indiana adoption statutes. A person being served with this notice should consult the Indiana adoption statutes.”.

[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-1-6.4(f) part.]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.200-1999, SEC.12; P.L.113-2017, SEC.1; P.L.244-2023, SEC.2.