Some men are automatically extended parental rights. Married men benefit from a legal presumption of paternity under Florida state law. Hospitals generally add them automatically as the father on a birth certificate when their wives give birth. Unmarried fathers do not have a presumption of paternity. Their relationship with the mother of their child does not guarantee their inclusion on a birth certificate. Instead, they may need to formally establish paternity with the state.
What options do fathers have when they want to play an active role in the lives of their children by establishing paternity?
Signing and acknowledgment at the hospital
When the mother of a child and the father maintain a healthy relationship, they can agree to fill out a Paternity Acknowledgment form at the hospital after the birth of the child. That way, the father’s name is on even the earliest birth certificate issued for the newborn.
Executing a voluntary acknowledgment later
Fathers who are not present at the time of the birth can still cooperate with the mother of the child to voluntarily establish their paternity. They can agree to execute an Acknowledgment of Paternity form at any point while the child is still a minor. After submitting them to the state, authorities can revise the birth certificate to add the father to the document.
Requesting genetic testing
Sometimes, there are questions about who the father is. Other times, the mother simply does not want to acknowledge him. In either of those situations, DNA testing to establish paternity could be an option. The process can be voluntary with the support of the mother or court-ordered in some cases.
Making the effort to establish paternity can help a father enjoy legal rights and protections. Children typically also benefit from a father making the effort to establish paternity.