My girlfriend and I live in Iowa and are about to have a child in a few months. As unmarried couple what do I need to do before the birth to ensure that my name will appear on our child's birth certificate?

Here's the law on this issue:
Iowa Code 252F (http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/cool-ice/default.asp?category=billinfo&service=iowacode&ga=83&input=252F)

There is little you can do before birth. Do you have any feelings the mother will refuse to list you as the father?

I would check with the hospital where she plans on giving birth to find out what rules they have to completing the birth certificate.

No doubts. So in Iowa the mother can choose to list the father? I have been reading conflicting information. Maybe a better question is, is there anything preventing me as the unmarried father from being named on the birth certificate?

Definitely not. The father is the father, not matter the marital status. Since a birth certificate is a legal document, it should be completed truthfully. If the father is know they should be listed.

Iowa Code 252F.5A states that paternity is at issue when the child is born out of wedlock.

I'm not sure about Iowa, but in Tennessee, the mother is given the paperwork to fill out, she has the choice to name the father. If she does than an Affidavit of Paternity is given at that time for the father to fill out.

Agree with J9 that you will not be listed unless you complete an affidavit of paternity. Dhe may name you as the father, but unless you acknowledge it in a legal way, you will not be listed on the birth certificate.

Thank you for the feedback. Can this affidavit be completed at any time prior so the because can be completed fully and correctly from the beginning?

Thank you for the feedback. Can this affidavit be completed at any time prior so the bc can be completed fully and correctly from the beginning?

No. It is signed when the birth certificate information is filled out. Nothing can be done prior to the birth of the child.