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Cairns Law Clearwater Divorce Lawyer
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  • 801 West Bay Drive, Suite 713, Largo, FL 33770

Adding A Father To A Child’s Birth Certificate

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The easiest way for unmarried parents to include a father’s name on a child’s birth certificate is to do so at the time of the child’s birth. This, however, is not always possible, whether due to the fact that the father was not present at the birth or because he did not know he was the father. Fortunately, a father’s name can be added to a child’s birth certificate at a later date even if the parents never marry. To learn more about this process, reach out to one of our dedicated Clearwater paternity lawyers today.

With a Paternity Form

A father who was not added to a child’s birth certificate at the time of the birth can do so by filling out an Acknowledgement of Paternity form later if:

  • The mother was unmarried at the time of the birth; and
  • No other person is listed as the father on the child’s birth record.

Both parents will need to sign the paternity form in the presence of two witnesses and a notary, after which they will need to submit the form to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics along with a copy of the child’s birth certificate. Eventually, the Bureau of Vital Statistics will officially amend the child’s birth certificate.

Without the Form

A paternity form isn’t always the way to go when adding a father to a child’s birth certificate. If, for instance, one of the parents is refusing to consent to the addition, then the party seeking the establishment of paternity will need to file a civil action in circuit court. The judge will order a genetic test and if the results of that test indicate that a man is a child’s father, then the judge will issue an order establishing paternity and requiring the modification of the birth certificate.

Fortunately, parents don’t always have to go to court to add a father’s name to a birth certificate, even if one individual doesn’t consent to the change. Florida’s Child Support Program will, for instance, help the parties establish paternity without going to court if all the parties provide genetic samples for testing. If the results prove that the man is the child’s biological father, then the program will issue an Administrative Order of Paternity, directing the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics to add the man’s name to the child’s birth certificate.

Evening and Weekend Appointments Available

There are a number of benefits to establishing paternity. For instance, bonding with both parents can be good for the development of a child, while a child support order can ensure that a child is financially provided for. Knowing the identity of a child’s father could also provide crucial information regarding the family’s medical history. For help adding your child’s father’s name to the birth certificate, don’t hesitate to reach out to the dedicated Clearwater paternity lawyers at Cairns Law. Call us at 727-683-1472 or send us an online message today. We are also available for evening and weekend appointments.

Source:

floridahealth.gov/certificates/certificates/

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