Indiana Code

Ind. Code § 31-19-4-5 (2026)

Notice to named putative father; form

✓ current as of May 2026
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     Sec. 5. Notice of the adoption proceeding shall be given to:

(1) the putative father who is entitled to notice under section 1 or 2 of this chapter; or

(2) a named putative father under section 3 of this chapter;

in substantially the following form:

"NOTICE TO NAMED FATHER

     ______________ (putative father's name), who has been named the father of the child born to _____________ (mother's name) on ________ (date), or who claims to be the father of the child born to _______________ (mother's name) on __________ (date), is notified that a petition for adoption of the child was filed in the office of the clerk of ____________ court, ______________ (address of the court).

     If ______________ (putative father's name) seeks to contest the adoption of the child, he must file a motion to contest the adoption in accordance with IC 31-19-10-1 in the above named court not later than fifteen (15) days after the date of service of this notice.

     If ______________ (putative father's name) does not file a motion to contest the adoption within fifteen (15) days after service of this notice, the above named court will hear and determine the petition for adoption. His consent will be irrevocably implied and he will lose his right to contest either the adoption or the validity of his implied consent to the adoption. He will lose his right to establish his paternity of the child, by affidavit or otherwise, in Indiana or any other jurisdiction.

     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 31-19-4-5 but does not exhaustively set forth a 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: 31-3-1-6.1(g).]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.200-1999, SEC.17; P.L.61-2003, SEC.8; P.L.21-2010, SEC.3; P.L.113-2017, SEC.3; P.L.244-2023, SEC.4.

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 12 cases, 2002–2020 · leading case: In the Matter of the Adoption of J.T.A. R.S.P. v. S.S., 988 N.E.2d 1250 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013).
In the Matter of the Adoption of J.T.A. R.S.P. v. S.S., 988 N.E.2d 1250 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 4× “, Ind.Code § 31-19-4-5. It appears then that notice to Mother should have included at least these elements.”
In Re Adoption of BW, 889 N.E.2d 1236 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 14× “The notice provided to Garcia indicated that he could contest the adoption in accordance with Indiana Code section 31-19-4-5, and specifically provided that This notice complies with I.”
W.G. v. D.B., 908 N.E.2d 586 (Ind. 2009). · cites it 6× “To that end, the General Assembly enacted § 31-19-4-5, which applies to the "Notice to Named Father," 8 and provides that the notice must include the following language: *591 If _________-_ (putative father's name) seeks to contest the adoption of the child, he must file a…”
In Re Adoption of Baby W., 796 N.E.2d 364 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). “Enclosed was a "Notice pursuant to Indiana Code 31-19-4-5" that provided, in substantially similar form to the language prescribed by the statute, that: [Sharp,] who has been named as the father of the child born to [M.”
In Re Paternity of Baby W, 774 N.E.2d 570 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002). “Enclosed was a "Notice pursuant to Indiana Code 31-19-4-5" that provided, in substantially similar form to the language prescribed by the statute, that: Clinton Sharp, who has been named as the father of the child born to [M.”
Garcia v. Bos, 889 N.E.2d 1236 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 11× “The notice provided to Garcia indicated that he could contest the adoption in accordance with Indiana Code section 31-19-4-5, and specifically provided that This notice complies with I.”
In Re Bw, 908 N.E.2d 586 (Ind. 2009). · cites it 8× “This notice complied with the dictates in Indiana Code § 31-19-4-5 describing the form that notice to a named father must take.”
C.N. v. K.B. (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 6× “” Ind. Code § 31-19-4-5 . Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-AD-1361 | December 16, 2020 Page 2 of 6 [4] In July 2019, C.”
In re: The Adoption of: J.W.A., J.M. v. State of Indiana, A.A., G.A., & J.A. (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 4× “In compliance with the dictates of Indiana Code section 31-19-4-5, the notice stated: If [J.”
Sharp v. Fields, 774 N.E.2d 570 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002). “Enclosed was a “Notice pursuant to Indiana Code 31-19-4-5” that provided, in substantially similar form to the language prescribed by the statute, that: Clinton Sharp, who has been named as the father of the child born to [M.”
Sharp v. Fields, 796 N.E.2d 364 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). “Enclosed was a "Notice pursuant to Indiana Code 31-19-4-5" that provided, in substantially similar form to the language prescribed by the statute, that: [Sharp,] who has been named as the father of the child born to [M.”
G.S. v. T.K. (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “tendered a Notice to Named Father that complies with Indiana Code section 31-19-4-5. But because T.K. was arguing that G.”
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