How do paternity affidavits work? PLEASE HELP!?

Question

I currently live in Washington state and my mother and father were not married when they had me, so my mother is only listed on the birth certificate. In order to get a visa for Brazil I have to have both names on my birth certificate. Can I have my dad sign a paternity affidavit, so that his name will be listed?

Who would I turn the paperwork for the paternity affidavit into? Where would I get the paperwork?

How much would it cost?

How long would it take for my birth certificate to be changed?

Answer 1

My husband just had to do this. He had a child with a girl from a previous relationship and she didn't put his name on the BC at the time. His son is 5 now and he and his ex just had to go to the health department in the county where his son was born and fill out the affidavit of paternity. I believe it only cost about 20 dollars. I don't know how it is in every state but here in Ohio you have to wait 6 to 8 months to get the new birth certificate. We are still waiting for it. Good luck!!!

Answer 2

Contact the city hall in your area.  They will lead you to wherever you need to start.

Answer 3

I would suggest a DNA test.

I'm not sure about Washington, but you might be able to do it with a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity; but voluntary paternities have a time limit in most states (usually a year or 2 after the child is born).

Other than that, you will need to get a judge to order that he is your father and take the Declaration of Paternity to Vital Statistics and get them to change your birth certificate.

Answer 4

You need to contact an attorney who specializes in Family Law in your state.  As long as your father is willing to sign the affidavit it should be a fairly simple matter.