Okla. Stat. tit. 10 § 7505-4.3

Current through Laws 2024, c. 453.

Section 7505-4.3 - Inquiry to identify unknown or putative father

A. If, at any time in a proceeding for adoption or for termination of a relationship of parent and child pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code, the court finds that an unknown father or putative father of the child may not have received notice, the court shall determine whether he can be identified. The determination must be based on evidence that includes inquiry of appropriate persons in an effort to identify an unknown father or putative father for the purpose of providing notice.

B. The inquiry required by subsection A of this section must include whether:

1. The woman who gave birth to the child was married at the probable time of conception of the child, or at a later time;

2. The woman was cohabiting with a man at the probable time of conception of the child;

3. The woman has received payments or promises of support, other than from a governmental agency, with respect to the child or because of her pregnancy;

4. The woman has named any individual as the father on the birth certificate of the child or in connection with applying for or receiving public assistance; and

5. Any individual has formally or informally acknowledged or claimed paternity of the child in a jurisdiction in which the woman resided during or since her pregnancy, or in which the child has resided or resides, at the time of the inquiry.

C. If inquiry pursuant to subsection B of this section identifies as the father or putative father of the child an individual who has not received notice of the proceeding, the court shall require notice to be served upon him pursuant to Section 7505-2.1 or 7505-4.1 of this title.

D. If, in an inquiry pursuant to this section, the woman who gave birth to the child fails to disclose the identity of a possible father or reveal his whereabouts, she must be advised that the lack of information about the father's medical and genetic history may be detrimental to the child. She should also be advised that any false statement that she might make under oath or affirmation at a hearing or trial before the court regarding her knowledge of the identity or whereabouts of a possible father, if she knows or believes that the statement is not true or intends thereby to obstruct the ascertainment of the truth, could constitute grounds for a criminal prosecution for perjury.

Okla. Stat. tit. 10, § 7505-4.3

Added by Laws 1997, HB 1241, c. 366, § 28, eff. November, 1, 1997; Amended by Laws 1998 , HB 2829, c. 415, §22, emerg. eff. 6/11/1998.