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View Full Version : Rights of unmarried father at birth of child


traveler3
Apr 14, 2009, 08:27 PM
If parents are unmarried and baby is born, do we have to notify father at birth of child?
Are we allowed to keep the birth father from signing a birth certificate if parents are unmarried?

stevetcg
Apr 15, 2009, 06:41 AM
You do not *have* to notify the father or allow him to sign the birth certificate. That is not to say that he cannot file for paternity later and have the birth certificate amended.

Just because he does not sign the B/C does not make him any less of the child's father. You are setting bad precedent in dealing with the father of the child that may continue to haunt for years to come.

ScottGem
Apr 15, 2009, 06:49 AM
Two additional issues here. A birth certificate is a legal document. If you do not list a father when you know who it is, you could be committing perjury.

Also, if you need to get public assistance, then will require that you list all possible fathers and they will contact them for a paternity test.