November 26th, 2010
Voluntarily Establishing Paternity
A father can voluntarily establish paternity in two ways. First, he will be present at the birth of his child and sign a Declaration of Paternity or Acknowledgment of Paternity. Such documentation is important to obtain the father’s name and placed on the child’s birth certificate. Second, if he fails to be present at the birth of his child, he can submit an affidavit of paternity. This affidavit is due until the child turns 18. If the affidavit is not submitted before the birth certificate is issued, a mother may opt to apply for the alteration of the child’s birth certificate and add the father’s name.
However, if the alleged father does not voluntarily acknowledged paternity, there are ways to establish the paternity of the child formally. The formal process includes seven steps. First is the meeting of parents to talk about the process of establishing paternity. Second, the mother has to sign an affidavit that indicates the identity of the alleged father.