[susie]

I had another question about the birth certificate. Even though paternity (a test) has not been established, with his name on the baby's birth certificate, does that give him more of a legal right to joint custody or even visitation rights right now????

[Anonymous]

Typically the unmarried father can be identified as the child's biological parent by executing an affidavit and being named on the child's birth certificate, or by pursuing a paternity action. Absent unusual circumstances (e.g., equitable parenthood) it is necessary that paternity be established before a putative father has the legal right to pursue child custody and parenting time. Being named on the birth certificate would ordinarily create that legal right. The effect is more on how the father would get into court to obtain parenting time, as opposed to what parenting time might be awarded.