Birth Certificates

porcelina22 · Dec 23, 2007

Here in AZ, when I had my daughter (9 years ago) I just didn't put anything down. Therefore, my daughter's birth certificate doesn't mention any father on it, there's not even a space for "unknown".

...chrissy...

RNmom08 · Dec 23, 2007

I'm not sure, but in iowa maybe the mother has to name all the possibilities of who can be the father. I thought I heard that once. I thought the state then goes about finding out who the father is (via blood tests) to be able to recooperate financially from the financially responsible party who would be father of the child.

I do know that if a mom names a father, even if that person believes he is not the father, the man is responsible for ruling himself out and taking care of the costs involved there. My sister in law was able to claim someone as the father of her child, even though he's not and he can't get out of it unless he pays for the paternity. I don't know why he won't pay for it - he just avoids working and paying taxes so he doesn't have to pay child support.

Really other than that, I don't know. (My sis-in-law and I don't get along and we hardly see each other. THought I'd add this because I feel what she has done is wrong by claiming a man as her childs father when she knows he's not.)

pirap · Dec 24, 2007

In our state the fathers name goes on the birth certificate IF they are married. If they are not married the fathers name can only go on the birth certificate if he signs an affadavit(sp?) of paternity and legally claims the child as his own(no paternity test needed if he legally claims the child). Otherwise, the father section is blank. If the "father" doesn't put his name on the birth certificate then the mother has to go to court to get a paternity test ordered.

danissa, LPN, LVN · Dec 24, 2007

How sad to have "unknown" on your Birth Certificate. In that case, it would be better just left blank!

Miriam57RN · Dec 24, 2007

Does anyone know Mom's options about naming a father on the birth certificate? Is she allowed to put none or unknown??
Happy Holidays!
Elise

But you need to know something. When the child comes to an age of understanding, they will want to know who their biological father is. If they were lied to, they will feel a sense of betrayal and often become resentful. I've heard of and read about many instances of this. It should be one's birthright to know who both parents responsible for their existence were. Adoptees, for example, especially struggle with this because in most states their original birth certificates were sealed stonewalling them from this information even after they reach adulthood. Children adopted by stepfathers where the b.father is unknown, also.

In past decades if a mother was unmarried, the father was automatically left off of the birth certificate...no fault of the mother it was just done because according to the state the father had not "legitimized" the child and therefore didn't legally count. Years later an adoptee would gain access to their information or their birth certificate and would see no name for the father, but continue to search for who he was, even wanting to meet him if possible. The unknown, or lies, become a sure source of anguish.

eager1hasbegun · Dec 24, 2007

But you need to know something. When the child comes to an age of understanding, they will want to know who their biological father is. If they were lied to, they will feel a sense of betrayal and often become resentful. I've heard of and read about many instances of this. It should be one's birthright to know who both parents responsible for their existence were. Adoptees, for example, especially struggle with this because in most states their original birth certificates were sealed stonewalling them from this information even after they reach adulthood. Children adopted by stepfathers where the b.father is unknown, also.
In past decades if a mother was unmarried, the father was automatically left off of the birth certificate...no fault of the mother it was just done because according to the state the father had not "legitimized" the child and therefore didn't legally count. Years later an adoptee would gain access to their information or their birth certificate and would see no name for the father, but continue to search for who he was, even wanting to meet him if possible. The unknown, or lies, become a sure source of anguish.

I think you read a little too much into my question. It's less about lying to the child and more about preventing a horrible person from having rights without leagal action. The mother plans on telling her child who the father is (and promoting a relationship with half-sliblings if their mother is willing), but she doesn't want to "give" the loser any rights. And he'll probably be too uncaring and lazy to pursue them with legal action.

Miriam57RN · Dec 24, 2007

I apologize if I seemed to be making assumptions about a specific situation. I was mainly generalizing about a child's perspective later on, when that does happen, as I've seen it. Obviously that won't be a problem in the situation you're referring to.

ORNurseAngie · Dec 24, 2007

in michigan if you are unmarried the father must sign an affidavit of paternity to be put on the birth certificate. I was born in 1982 in michigan so my mother says. On my birth certificate there was no father listed b/c my mom was still married to her ex husband. She had the option of listing him or no one. She says her ex was not my dad. He was in florida and had a hard time tracking him down for divorce papers. She claims the man who she married after her divorce is my dad. Who knows.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Dec 24, 2007

Where I am, if mom & dad are married, the husband's name automatically goes on the birth cert. If they're not but the dad recognizes that he's the father, they both sign a notarized affidavit (our secretaries are notaries) with the father presenting some form of ID. If he's not known or not involved, everything's just left blank.

The real sticky issue is when when Mom tells us (usually sometime while husband has gone off to eat or something) that her husband isn't the baby's father but he doesn't know it. We've had married women sign affidavits with men they weren't married to who fathered their children and recognized it. Just a little bit sticky.

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Dec 24, 2007

In Wisconsin, if the mom is married, her husband is automatically the father of the child. they could have been separated for 6 years and live 100 miles from each other, but he would be the father.

If she is not married, no name goes under the father. However, the FOB can sign and affidavit and then they can apply for an amended birth certificate. There is, of course, a fee to amend the certificate but it's only $10.00.