Children deserve to have a legal father. When you establish paternity, you identify the legal father of the child. Paternity gives rights and benefits to the mother, the father and the child.
Some of the rights and benefits for the child are:
- Information on family medical history
- The child will know the identity of his or her father
- The father’s name is on the birth certificate
- Health or life insurance from either parent, if available
- Support from both parents, like child support and medical support
- Get Social Security or veteran’s benefits, military allowances and inheritances
How Do I Establish Paternity for My Child?
- IF the parents are married when the child is born, paternity is established without having to take any action.
- IF the parents are unmarried when the child is born, paternity can be established voluntarily by both parents in the hospital.
- IF the mother is unmarried when the child is born, but later marries the child’s father, paternity can be established when applying for a marriage license.
- IF paternity has not been established another way, it can be established with a legal order.