While there are certainly biological fathers out there who would not care one way or the other if a baby they had "accidentally" fathered was being adopted, there are an equal number who care deeply. Biological fathers are at a distinct disadvantage in this realm--while the mother of course knows she is having a baby, she may, for various reasons, simply choose not to tell the biological father. Perhaps she has already made the decision to put the baby up for adoption and doesn't want to involve another person in her decision. She may purposely conceal the pregnancy from the biological father or indicate to the adoption agency that he has no interest in the child when, in fact, he has no knowledge the child exists. The mother could also truly not be certain of who the birth father is, so chooses not to contact the possible birthfathers.
Although adoption laws differ greatly from state to state, generally speaking before an adoption can take place both biological parents must relinquish their parental rights in order for the adoption to be legal. A past lack of attention to the rights of biological fathers has created some serious consequences when the father learns he has a child and fights for custody. If the adoption was not properly and legally handled, a child who has been with adoptive parents for a year, two, three or even four may be returned to the birth father because no attempt was made to contact him and get his signature for release of his parental rights.
If the birth father knows of the mother's desire to put the baby up for adoption, but he is not in favor of the adoption plan, the agency will make every effort to contact him and speak with him about the adoption process and the possibility of him signing the legal paperwork. If he refuses to sign, the agency can have him served, at which point he will need to hire an attorney to prevent his parental rights from being relinquished against his will. Some states, such as Texas, have registries for men who believe they may have fathered a child; they may sign up and be notified of a proceeding for adoption or termination of parental rights. However, if the father does not register before the 31st day after the date of the birth of the child, his parental rights may be terminated without notice. This is a very ambiguous process, and an attorney who is familiar with your particular state laws regarding parental right relinquishment could be well-worth the money if you do not want to have your biological child put up for adoption.
