Hi,

I have a son who is 13 years old. His mother died of lupus about 3 years ago and I have had him every since.

His mother and I was nev er married and I was never put on the birth certificate.

Do I have to adopt him?

If so, How do you adopt your own son?

Thank You,

Greg Warf

You could establish legal paternity by requesting DNA test through the court for proof that he is your child.

You don't have to adopt him if he is your son. You would go to court to have the birth certificate modified. Since, presumably, you have acted as his father his whole life, it would likely be a rubber stamp. Many locations would automatically declare you the legal father because there has been no one to contest it and you have held yourself out to the world as his father.

I would find a local family law lawyer and have him check out the process of getting a birth certificate modified. It should be simple.