Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: departure
A putative-father registry is a list where a man who is not married to the mother of a child can claim that he might be the father of the child. This is important because if the child is going to be adopted, the man will be notified and have a chance to object to the adoption.
A putative-father registry is an official list where an unmarried father can claim possible paternity of a child. This is done for the purpose of receiving notice if the child is being put up for adoption.
John and Jane had a child together but were not married. They broke up, and Jane decided to put the child up for adoption. John had no idea about this until he found out from a friend. If John had registered himself on the putative-father registry, he would have received notice of the adoption and could have taken legal action to prevent it.
This example illustrates how the putative-father registry can help unmarried fathers protect their parental rights.