A putative father is a man alleged or believed to be the biological father of a child whose legal paternity has not yet been formally established. Putative father status is a starting point not a legal conclusion.

A putative father who wants to establish parental rights must act to legally establish his paternity within the applicable time limits. Failing to establish paternity can result in the loss of parental rights.

Arizona maintains a Putative Father Registry that allows men who believe they may have fathered a child to register their potential legal status with their baby. Registration provides notice of adoption proceedings.