[Johnnynumberone]

What are my rights as a father when the mother didn't let me know when he was born obviously I'm not on the birth certificate? How would I go about getting primary?

[ScottGem]

You have the same rights as any father. But you have to go to court to enforce those rights.

You are unlikely to get primary physical custody, unless you can prove the mother unfit. But you should be able to get joint legal custody and visitation.

To do so, you need to file for custody and visitation in Family court. This has to be done where the mother and child live.

[Johnnynumberone]

First thanks for the response, Any idea how to start that short of hiring a lawyer? Can I go to the courthouse myself and file that?

[cdad]

First thanks for the response, Any idea how to start that short of hiring a lawyer? Can I go to the courthouse myself and file that?

Yes you can file on your own and many courts also have a help system to aide those are doing it on your own. Be prepared to pay filing fees and watch all the paperwork and follow all instructions.

[Fr_Chuck]

It is very hard without an attorney, first don't think about getting primary custody at this point, unless the mother is unfit or perhaps child taken out of home by CPS.

You file for visitation of the child. In that you ask for a DNA test to prove paternity as part of the motion.