Legal Question in Family Law in Nevada
Birth Certificate for unmarried couple's baby
What are the advantages and disadvantages of not giving the father's name on the birth certificate and using ''unknown father'' instead? The father is a worthless jerk who will not marry my daughter, never will amount to a hill of beans, and really, we would rather be rid of him than keep him around. He lives in California; she lives in Nevada and is about to give birth to a baby boy. Thank you.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Birth Certificate for unmarried couple's baby
In order to include the father's name on the birth certificate, both parents must sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity. If this is not done, the birth certificate will simply be left blank where the father's information would appear. It cannot state that the father is unknown. Whether he is listed or not, he will be liable for child support and can enforce visitation rights by an action to determine paternity, custody and visitation. If he is listed and subsequently dies or is disabled, it will be easier to claim Social Security or other benefits. Listed or not, your daughter will be required to terminate his parental rights (or get his consent)for a later adoption.
Re: Birth Certificate for unmarried couple's baby
Since the rights of unmarried fathers are the same as the rights of married fathers in Nevada it has no legal significance leaving the father off the birth certificate. Until his parental rights are terminated I suggest you put his name on the birth certificate for the child's sake if not for yours. Once termination takes place that would be the time to delete his name. It is kind of an insult to the child to put "unknown father."
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