Whose Name Should I Put on the Birth Certificate?

Serenyd · #1 08-02-2007, 04:42 PM

Here's my dilemma:

I currently live with my boyfriend whom I have been cohabitating with for about 5 1/2 years. I had an 'affair' with another man and I became pregnant. I'm still with my boyfriend. The bio father doesn't want to have anything to do with the child. My boyfriend knows the child isn't his but he has agreed if I stay with him he will raise the child as his own. I don't know whose name to put on the birth certificate. My relationship with my boyfriend is still rocky at this point.
I'm not sure if I should leave it blank or let my boyfriend sign it, which he is sure to try to do. What rights would it give him if I let him sign it? What if I want to sue the bio father for child support later?

(MISSISSIPPI)
(bio father lives in Louisiana)

Thanks Seren

Baystategirl · #2 08-02-2007, 08:43 PM

Quoting Serenyd

Here's my dilemma:

I currently live with my boyfriend whom I have been cohabitating with for about 5 1/2 years. I had an 'affair' with another man and I became pregnant. I'm still with my boyfriend. The bio father doesn't want to have anything to do with the child. My boyfriend knows the child isn't his but he has agreed if I stay with him he will raise the child as his own. I don't know whose name to put on the birth certificate. My relationship with my boyfriend is still rocky at this point.
I'm not sure if I should leave it blank or let my boyfriend sign it, which he is sure to try to do. What rights would it give him if I let him sign it? What if I want to sue the bio father for child support later?

(MISSISSIPPI)
(bio father lives in Louisiana)

Thanks Seren

Well, legally you can't put anyones name on the BC as you are not married. But even if you were allow to do this, it would be fraud to put someone other than the actual father.

When you child is born, file for paternity/support against the FATHER of the child.

elorei · #3 08-03-2007, 08:34 AM

Quoting Baystategirl

When you child is born, file for paternity/support against the FATHER of the child.

You assume the poster is willing to share custody of the child. Going after support can easily open up doors to asking for visitation.

Serenyd · #4 08-06-2007, 05:43 PM

I was thinking of letting my boyfriend sign a declaration of paternity at the hospital and putting his name on the bc. I didn't realize that would be "fraud." More like he was adopting the child. I'm not sure I want that.
I don't think that the real father will ever do anything to try and have a relationship with this child. So I could just probably leave the birth certificate blank on the father's side, but I'd really rather not. I don't want that for my child.
I kind of feel like I should let him off the hook for child support payments since he told me up front he doesn't want to be a father and he would rather my boyfriend and I raise the baby. I agreed this would probably be the best thing for everybody, but if I don't stay with my boyfriend then it really wouldn't be practical for me to try to raise him without financial help. So I might want to file for child support, I might not. I'm thinking it would be better if I stop my boyfriend from declaring paternity at the hospital, (thought I'm sure he'll put up a fight) and leave the bc blank.
I guess I want to know what will be harder ... getting my boyfriend's name OFF the birth certificate later ..... or adding him or the real father later?

Baystategirl · #5 08-06-2007, 07:12 PM

Quoting Serenyd

I was thinking of letting my boyfriend sign a declaration of paternity at the hospital and putting his name on the bc. I didn't realize that would be "fraud." More like he was adopting the child. I'm not sure I want that.
I don't think that the real father will ever do anything to try and have a relationship with this child. So I could just probably leave the birth certificate blank on the father's side, but I'd really rather not. I don't want that for my child.
I kind of feel like I should let him off the hook for child support payments since he told me up front he doesn't want to be a father and he would rather my boyfriend and I raise the baby. I agreed this would probably be the best thing for everybody, but if I don't stay with my boyfriend then it really wouldn't be practical for me to try to raise him without financial help. So I might want to file for child support, I might not. I'm thinking it would be better if I stop my boyfriend from declaring paternity at the hospital, (thought I'm sure he'll put up a fight) and leave the bc blank.
I guess I want to know what will be harder ... getting my boyfriend's name OFF the birth certificate later ..... or adding him or the real father later?

Your BF is NOT the father. If he signs the AOP and BC that would be fraud. Fraud is against the law.
Either petition the courts for paternity AFTER the child is born or leave the section blank. If at some point you and your bf marry and he wishes to adopt the child, then you can see if the father of the child would voluntarily terminate his parental rights.

Serenyd · #6 08-07-2007, 10:06 AM

Quoting Baystategirl

Your BF is NOT the father. If he signs the AOP and BC that would be fraud. Fraud is against the law.
Either petition the courts for paternity AFTER the child is born or leave the section blank. If at some point you and your bf marry and he wishes to adopt the child, then you can see if the father of the child would voluntarily terminate his parental rights.

Thank you. Finally some advice that makes sense! This is what I needed.

Seren