Removing a False Name from an Adult's Birth Certificate and Establishing Paternity

My question involves paternity law for the State of: Pennyslvania

My Mother was unmarried and put a Fictious Name in Place of my Father's Name on my Birth Certificate.

When I was 12 I found out his real name.

My Mother refused to speak about him.

He passed away around the same time unbeknowst to me.

I spoke to his sister when I was about 21.

She totally knew of my existence and I was blown away.

It appears they received a settlement for his death but since I had money I didn't dwell on the fact that I was the rightful heir.

The aunt had no interest in meeting me.

Now years later, it bothers me more and more to have a completely wrong name last name and Father's name on my BC.

Plus my insane Mother let me know when I was 12, that she based the selection of the fake last name on an infamous cult leader/murderer (Initials C.M. , you can probably guess who I mean). How F-d up is that ? She loathed my Dad that much that she put a similar sounding version of the name of someone evil on her child's BC ??

Now with Ancestry research I found out my Paternal Grandfather fought in WW2 and the Korean War.

I didn't think I had any relations who fought in any recent wars.....

From my cursory research , it appears to be a pipe dream to get things amended now, but I am curious if I missed something along the way.

So can I get the correct name updated on my BC for Pennsylvania ? :wallbang:

Thanks.

Uh huh.

You'll need proof of paternity, which you cannot obtain at this point.

Why do I suspect that this has less to do with family and more to do with the settlement his family received at his death?

Under present Pennsylvania law, the father’s name may only be added to the birth certificate of a child born to an unmarried father if the father completes an acknowledgement of paternity (which is of course impossible here) or if there is a court determination of paternity. See the information from the PA Department of Health paternity page on that. In order to bring an action to establish paternity in Pennsylvania, the action must be brought within 18 years from the date of the child’s birth, i.e. once the child reaches age 18, it is too late to bring a paternity action. 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 4343(b)(1). As a result, I think you are out-of-luck on this one.

The fact is your mother could not add any man's name to your birth certificate unless she was married or the man signed the proper documents accepting paternity. So, either your father claimed himself to be the person on your birth certificate or somebody is lying.


The idea of your mother unilaterally placing a fictitious man's name on your birth certificate is beyond believable.

Hmmm.

OP, how old are you?

Quote:

---

Quoting Dogmatique

---

Hmmm.

OP, how old are you?

---

by their own statement at least 23. They were 21 when they spoke to the aunt and then states " years later " this has become a problem to have the name on the birth certificate.

So we're talking about a birth certificate created and issued when... around what, 1992 right?

Paternity laws in PA haven't changed much since 1992. DNA evidence was admissible, and the determination of paternity hasn't changed significantly.

(Though not really relevant here, there is an absolutely fascinating discussion about DNA and paternity right here: http://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylv...per-329-2.html )

Back to the OP.

Someone, somewhere is telling some big pork pies. And something tells me it's not the parent/s... if you get my point.

A settlement from 20 years ago ?
As I said, I had money and have money.
I am tired of using a surname that has crazed roots and no bearing on reality.
I've always been fascinated with WW2 history and would rather be equated with a man who fought in it than a homicidal cult leader.

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:

---

Quoting jk

---

The fact is your mother could not add any man's name to your birth certificate unless she was married or the man signed the proper documents accepting paternity. So, either your father claimed himself to be the person on your birth certificate or somebody is lying.


The idea of your mother unilaterally placing a fictitious man's name on your birth certificate is beyond believable.

---

My original headline on here was:
Re: Fictious Father's Name on 1983 Birth Certificate. Real Father Deceased. Too Late"
But mods changed it.

I thought this forum would be helpful as to to trying to clarify things.


It's embarassing enough as it is to have gone through crap growing up and not having a stable father figure.

I presented facts as simply as I could.

Mother is nutjob and put faux name. Didn't find out real name until I was 12. She threw it in my face why she put fake name on BC.

Now years later, it still bothers me, I don't want a total false name listed as my Dad.

Those are the facts.

You can change your name any time you wish to. I see no way to alter (based on what you have stated I do not believe it to be a correction) who is listed as your father on your birth certificate.