OK.. I just want to know if the father needs to be present at the birth, to sign the certificate that yes in fact he's the father. Or can the mother just put him on as the legal father??

Well, I am not a legal expert or anything... and this happened in the state of Kentucky... but my best friend put her baby's father on the birth certificate while he was in prison. So I am pretty sure he wasn't there to sign it.

I live in Pa, When the birth certificate lady came around in the hospital, my husband was actually at home, I filled out everything myself, put his name on it and he did not have to sign anything.

The laws and rules very by state in the US.

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Originally Posted by jwagner

ok.. i just want to know if the father needs to be present at the birth, to sign the certificate that yes infact he's the father. or can the mother just put him on as the legal father???

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The laws vary by state but mostly no. In case your name was put in the baby's birth certificate and you are 100% sure that it's not yours, you can file for paternity test.

Oops! I though you're a dad... :p

My friend had her son two years ago in Arkansas and when they brought the papers in they asked where the father was (he ran home to shower) they let her fill out the papers but wouldn't file them until he signed... BUT my sister had her son in July in the same hospital and her boyfriend was working... They let her put him as the father and he didn't have to sign anything, but they had to use her last name until they left the hospital (they have to match baby to mommy)