2013 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 03 - Landlord-Tenant, Domestic Relations, Probate
Chapter 109 - Parent and Child Rights and Relationships
Section 109.096 - Notice to putative father when paternity not established.

(1) When the paternity of a child has not been established under ORS 109.070, the putative father is entitled to reasonable notice in adoption or other court proceedings concerning the custody of the child, except for juvenile court proceedings, if the petitioner knows, or by the exercise of ordinary diligence should have known:

(a) That the child resided with the putative father at any time during the 60 days immediately preceding the initiation of the proceeding, or at any time since the child's birth if the child is less than 60 days old when the proceeding is initiated; or

(b) That the putative father repeatedly has contributed or tried to contribute to the support of the child during the year immediately preceding the initiation of the proceeding, or during the period since the child's birth if the child is less than one year old when the proceeding is initiated.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) or (4) of this section, a verified statement of the mother of the child or of the petitioner, or an affidavit of another person with knowledge of the facts, filed in the proceeding and asserting that the child has not resided with the putative father, as provided in subsection (1)(a) of this section, and that the putative father has not contributed or tried to contribute to the support of the child, as provided in subsection (1)(b) of this section, is sufficient proof to enable the court to grant the relief sought without notice to the putative father.

(3) The putative father is entitled to reasonable notice in a proceeding for the adoption of the child if notice of the initiation of filiation proceedings as required by ORS 109.225 was on file with the Center for Health Statistics of the Oregon Health Authority prior to the child's being placed in the physical custody of a person or persons for the purpose of adoption by them. If the notice of the initiation of filiation proceedings was not on file at the time of the placement, the putative father is barred from contesting the adoption proceeding.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, the putative father is entitled to reasonable notice in court proceedings concerning the custody of the child, other than juvenile court proceedings, if notice of the initiation of filiation proceedings as required by ORS 109.225 was on file with the Center for Health Statistics prior to the initiation of the proceedings.

(5) Notice under this section is not required to be given to a putative father who was a party to filiation proceedings under ORS 109.125 that were dismissed or resulted in a finding that he was not the father of the child.

(6) The notice required under this section shall be given in the manner provided in ORS 109.330.

(7) No notice given under this section need disclose the name of the mother of the child.

(8) A putative father has the primary responsibility to protect his rights, and nothing in this section shall be used to set aside an act of a permanent nature including, but not limited to, adoption or termination of parental rights, unless the father establishes within one year after the entry of the final judgment or order fraud on the part of a petitioner in the proceeding with respect to matters specified in subsections (1) to (5) of this section. [1975 c.640 §7; 1979 c.491 §1; 1983 c.709 §39; 1995 c.90 §1; 2003 c.576 §137; 2005 c.160 §5; 2009 c.595 §68]