Questions about last name on birth certificate

guest · #1 11-24-2005, 09:18 AM

Hello, here is my situation: Me and my boyfriend are expecting a baby next month. There is a slight chance the baby is not biologicaly his b/c of a relationship prior to ours. We are about 95% sure it is, but to put our minds at ease we will be having a paterinity test after baby is born. My question to you is, before the results come in, how do we go about signing the birth certificate? We both want to put his last name on it, but does he have to show proof of being the BIOLOGICAL father first before I give the child his last name? If so, do you know if it is allowed to leave certificate pending until paternity results come back? If yes, how long of a time is allowed? Whether being the biological father or not, he wants to take all responsiblity, so I feel it is easier to just put his name on it anyway. Especially since we are planning on getting married next year. Any help would be greatly apprecitated. Thank you!

Mr. Knowitall · #2 11-24-2005, 11:38 PM

You can wait to add him as the father until after the test results come back. If the test shows him to be the father you can establish paternity by affidavit, then apply to amend the birth record.

guest · #3 11-27-2005, 07:54 AM

Ok thanks, but as far as the baby's last name, can we leave it "blank" for a certain amount of time? Or is that part of the whole ammending BC after? How long do we have to ammend before we have to actually legally change it? Also, one last question ; ) Is it illegal to sign a paternity form if you are uncertain if someone is the biological father or not?

Answers to my all my questions are qreatly appreciated. Thanks!

adsheet88? · #4 12-03-2005, 05:41 AM

I was in your spot 13 years ago. We knew the child was not my boyfriends but we got married and she took his name and he has always been "dad". We are now getting divorced and he doesn't not want to pay support for her and has told her he is not her father. I signed paper to prove paternity against her real father last week, 4 days later he was killed in a accident. My child has been robbed of knowing her real father, stepmother, and two younger sisters who are all wonderful people. 13 years later I know we are not promised tomorrow and your child should know the truth even if it makes our life a little more difficult.

guest · #5 12-06-2005, 11:44 PM

Thanks, and I am sorry for your misfortune, but I do plan on finding out who the real father is that is why we are getting a test after baby isborn. I was just wondering how to go about signing documents at time ofbirth.

aaron · #6 12-06-2005, 11:46 PM

If the father is unsure of his paternity, he should wait until the baby is born and have a DNA test conducted before he signs an affidavit attesting to his paternity.

guest · #7 12-07-2005, 05:34 PM

Thanks. How long after the birth do we have to sign any documents, birth certificate....etc.?

aaron · #8 12-07-2005, 05:41 PM

I'm not aware of any time limit. If you don't sign a Consenting Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity at the hospital or birthing center, there is a small fee associated with the processing of the form.