§ 19-8-1 - Definitions
O.C.G.A. 19-8-1 (2010)
19-8-1. Definitions
For purposes of this chapter, the term:
(1) "Biological father" means the male who impregnated the biological mother resulting in the birth of the child.
(2) "Child" means a person who is under 18 years of age and who is sought to be adopted.
(3) "Child-placing agency" means an agency licensed as a child-placing agency pursuant to Chapter 5 of Title 49.
(4) "Department" means the Department of Human Services.
(5) "Guardian" means a legal guardian of the person of a child.
(6) "Legal father" means a male who:
(A) Has legally adopted a child;
(B) Was married to the biological mother of that child at the time the child was conceived or was born, unless such paternity was disproved by a final order pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 7 of this title;
(C) Married the legal mother of the child after the child was born and recognized the child as his own, unless such paternity was disproved by a final order pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 7 of this title;
(D) Has legitimated the child by a final order pursuant to Code Section 19-7-22; or
(E) Has legitimated the child pursuant to Code Section 19-7-21.1
and who has not surrendered or had terminated his rights to the child.
(7) "Legal mother" means the female who is the biological or adoptive mother of the child and who has not surrendered or had terminated her rights to the child.
(8) "Parent" means either the legal father or the legal mother of the child.
(9) "Petitioner" means a person who petitions to adopt or terminate rights to a child pursuant to this chapter.
(10) "Putative father registry" means the registry established and maintained pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) of Code Section 19-11-9.