[Jenniferrachel]

Hello, My daughter is almost 1 years old. The Biological father is not invovled at all and went away when he found out I was pregnant. There is no father name on her birth certificate. I started dating another man 2 months into my pregnancy and now we are getting married. He would like to adopt my daughter. We have contacted the Bio dad many times. He came to visit once, but canceled all the other times and now does not return my calls. He sends boxes of usleess gift and I always thank him. We recently ask him if her would give permission for my soon to be husband to adopt her. He said no. I have documented all of this from the beginning. I am not interested in child support, the Bio dad does not hold on to jobs and we don't need the money. We just want our family to be safe and intact. I have a few questions.. I live in Massachusetts...
1) Do I have to establish paternity since she was born out of wedlock?
2) Can my fience volenterrely and willing put his name on the Birth Cert?
3) Can we start the process of adoption? And if so how?

Thank you for your time. Blessed be. Jennifer

[Fr_Chuck]

No one else by the bio father can be listed as father unless the new step parent adopts in court.

You start by hireing an attorney who will have to get the bio fathers permission. The bio father can request or require a DNA test to prove he is the father, you can also request the test if you have doubt who the father is.

And you may be interested in child support, since once he has to start paying, he may be a lot happier to sign over his rights.