42-2-201. Definitions. As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:

Terms Used In Montana Code 42-2-201

  • Adoption: means the act of creating the legal relationship between parent and child when it does not exist genetically. See Montana Code 42-1-103
  • Child: includes an unborn child. See Montana Code 42-2-201
  • Putative father: means an individual who may be a child's birth father but who:

    (i)is not married to the child's mother on or before the date that the child is born; or

    (ii)has not established paternity of the child prior to the filing of a petition for termination of parental rights to the child for purposes of adoption. See Montana Code 42-2-201

  • Registry: means the putative father registry established under 42-2-202. See Montana Code 42-2-201

(1)”Child” includes an unborn child.

(2)(a) “Putative father” means an individual who may be a child’s birth father but who:

(i)is not married to the child’s mother on or before the date that the child is born; or

(ii)has not established paternity of the child prior to the filing of a petition for termination of parental rights to the child for purposes of adoption.

(b)The term includes an individual who is:

(i)less than 18 years of age; and

(ii)not married to the child’s mother even though the individual is a presumed father within the meaning of 40-6-105.

(3)”Registry” means the putative father registry established under 42-2-202.