As social norms have changed, the way that people start families has changed too. Marriage rates have declined and divorce rates have increased over the years. It is now more common than ever for people to decide to start families or have children without getting married first. Doing so no longer results in any serious social stigma, but there are sometimes challenges for the parents in that situation. Specifically, the father may not have his name on the birth certificate without taking certain steps that married men do not need to complete. There are a few different ways to establish paternity as an unmarried father.
How can a man ensure that the state recognizes him as the father of his child if he has not married the mother of that child?
Filling out paperwork with the mother
Many new parents can establish paternity right after birth at the hospital by filling out paperwork together. Paternity allows the father to have his name added to the birth certificate of his child. Both parents have to agree voluntarily to complete a paternity affidavit. They can do so at the hospital or at any point while the child is still a minor. The state can then issue an initial birth certificate with the father’s name included or add his name to an existing birth certificate.
Asking the courts for support
Sometimes, unmarried parents do not maintain their relationship with one another. In such circumstances, fathers may have more difficulty establishing paternity. The mother may not agree to cooperate with them. It may be necessary to go to court to request genetic testing. If the tests affirm that the man is the father of the child, they can then update the birth certificate. From there, they may have the option of requesting shared custody.
Establishing paternity allows a child to inherit from their father’s estate or collect Social Security survivor’s benefits if anything happens to their father. They can also become eligible for valuable benefits related to their father’s work or military service. Knowing what steps are necessary to establish paternity can help fathers assert their legal rights. The entire family may benefit from a man officially establishing legal paternity.
