Search MFAR

Before an adoption becomes final in Minnesota, the law requires a search of the Minnesota Fathers' Adoption Registry (MFAR) to check if a potential father has registered. The search requirement applies to all adoption petitions filed in Minnesota, except adoptions of foreign-born children (unless the adoption is by a stepparent) and international adoptions.

MFAR searches may be requested by:  

• Birth mothers
• Legal fathers
• Putative fathers registered in MFAR
• Attorneys representing birth mothers or adoptive parents
• Agencies supervising adoptive placements
• County child protection and social services staff, for juvenile protection matters unrelated to adoption
• Child support workers (search fee is waived)

Use the Minnesota Fathers' Adoption Registry (MFAR) Search Request (PDF) form to request a search. The fee for most requesters is $25. If a search of MFAR identifies a putative father, the requester receives all the information the putative father submitted to MFAR for the child in question.  

The results of an MFAR search that is requested 31 days or more after the birth:

• Certify the registration status of the putative father (i.e., registered, not registered)  
• Serve as proof of the search for legal purposes