Changing The Father's Name On A Birth Certificate

I am the biological father of a 16 year old girl and I just found out that her mother has her registered in high school using a birth certificate that has her step father listed as the father. I have been paying child support for 12 years and I have no doubt the girl is mine. I am listed as the father on the original, ceritified certificate filed with California (Riverside County) and the step father did not come on the scene until my daughter was almost 4. I would like to know if what my ex has done is legal. I never relinquished parental rights and I still pay full monthly support. She has been in trouble in the past for felony welfare fraud and I am wondering if she's trying to pull another fast one somehow. If what she has done is illegal what recourse do I have to pursue action against her?

Have you tried to find out how this change occurred? Was there, for example, a step-parent adoption? Do you still pay child support and enjoy court-ordered visitation?

I posted my question as soon as I found out and haven't had time to do any research but I didn't think you could do a step parent adoption without the consent of the biological parent if they are still in the picture. I keep in constant contact with my daughter, have summer visitations, and would NEVER relinquish my parental rights or reponsibilities. Also, knowing her step father as I do, I would never consent to him adopting her.

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Quoting rdwryr2000

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I posted my question as soon as I found out and haven't had time to do any research but I didn't think you could do a step parent adoption without the consent of the biological parent if they are still in the picture. I keep in constant contact with my daughter, have summer visitations, and would NEVER relinquish my parental rights or reponsibilities. Also, knowing her step father as I do, I would never consent to him adopting her.

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Does the school know you as the father? Do you attend Parent/Teacher conferences? Are you actively involved in her education?

You are supposed to be given notice. That doesn't necessarily mean that they gave you notice.

They are respecting your visitation rights, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they didn't go behind your back with a step-parent adoption. It's less likely that they did if you are paying support pursuant to a court order, particularly if you are paying through a support agency or pursuant to an income withholding order. But even that wouldn't rule out an improperly filed and noticed action.

Perhaps the County can inform you as to by what authority they changed the birth certificate. ("If you need to speak with a Vital Records staff member, please call (951) 486-7000.")

I just contacted the records office and was informed that if an adoption had taken place, even behind my back, there would be an amendment recorded with their office and no such amendment was on file. It now appears that what she has committed is forgery and falsifying an official document. Should I contact local law enforcement to inform them or is there another avenue I should take?

So you believe she simply doctored a birth certificate and presented it to the school?

Yes, that is what it appears she has done. Is this a criminal offense that can be prosecuted?

Even if it is I doubt that you could interest a prosecutor in taking that case, but if you are so inclined you can make a police report.

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Quoting rdwryr2000

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Yes, that is what it appears she has done. Is this a criminal offense that can be prosecuted?

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Have you actually SEEN the b.c.? Or is this something someone told you?

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Quoting Baystategirl

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Have you actually SEEN the b.c.? Or is this something someone told you?

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I have not seen the B.C. and the school will not release it to me since I am not the custodial parent. It was a school counselor who informed me of this issue so I have no reason to doubt her information.

What does it matter? The girl is 16 years old and in a few years she may marry and take another man's last name anyway. She knows who she is and you know who she is so why worry about it now?

Did you discover the false BC because you attempted to obtain information from the school concerning your daughter and they would not release it to you? You can obtain a certified copy of the BC and can send a letter to the school with it as well as any court orders indicating your are the child's father and insist that the school amend their records and allow you access to the child's records as the child's rightful parent.