Legal Definitions - biological father

A biological father is the male individual who contributed the genetic material (sperm) that led to the conception of a child. This term specifically refers to the genetic relationship between a male and a child, establishing a direct lineal descent.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a biological father:

• Paternity Testing: A woman files a legal claim asserting that a specific man is the father of her child, and the man denies it. To resolve the dispute, a court orders a DNA test. The results conclusively show a genetic match between the man and the child, confirming he is the biological father. This demonstrates that he provided the genetic material that resulted in the child's birth, establishing his genetic link.

• Assisted Reproductive Technology (Sperm Donation): A single woman decides to have a child using donor sperm from a sperm bank. She undergoes artificial insemination and successfully conceives. The anonymous donor who provided the sperm is the child's biological father because his genetic material was used for conception. However, the donor typically has no legal rights or responsibilities for the child, and the woman is the sole legal parent.

• Adoption: A young couple conceives a child, but due to personal circumstances, they decide to place the baby for adoption with another family. The man who contributed the sperm is the child's biological father, possessing the genetic connection. Once the adoption is finalized, the adoptive father becomes the child's legal father, assuming all parental rights and responsibilities, while the biological father's legal rights are typically terminated.