I want to adopt my girlfriends 1 yr. old daughter?

Question

The father is worthless and his name isn't even on the birth certificate. How would we go about making me the father of her child?

Answer 1

adopt laws

Answer 2

first of all-your awesome! location may make a difference but i am from MO and my husband just adopted our daughter. her biological fathers name was on the birth certificate so that may make a difference too but i know for us we had to be married for 6 months and they had to do a home study and my husband had to make enough money to support us. they sometimes will interview the child and ask them about "who is daddy" and general stuff like that but they said our daughter was really too young (and she is 3) so i doubt you would have to do that. but the first step would be to consult a lawyer. they will be able to tell you exactly what you have to do. like i said im sure the laws are different in every state. good luck!!!

Answer 3

Twenty months ago she thought he was wonderful.

Maybe 20 months from now, she'll think YOU are 'worthless'.  Do you want to pay child support for 17 years?

Answer 4

If he is not on the OBC, then you just need a lawyer.  They will ask who the bio father is and if he contest it, you will need him to sign his rights over - giving him no legal / financial obligation to the child whatsoever.

Answer 5

I really don't think you should jump into anything. Sounds like you have not been with this girl that long. If you adopt this baby, you will forever be financially responsible whether you want to be or not.

And I don't suggest taking storm_goddess23 advice. What they did was very illegal. It's called fraud!

Answer 6

you would probably have to marry her first.

Answer 7

It depends on what state u live in. I live in SC and my first child was from another guy.(I was pregnant when I started dating my hubby). Me and my hubby went to Vital records which is where u get birth certificates, usually located in the Health Department, told them that he was the father but was not on the BC and all he had to do was sign an affidavit saying he knew he was the father. They changed our childs last name and put my hubbys name on the BC.

Answer 8

Why do you want to adopt her daughter?  Why not concentrate on your relationship with your girlfriend and make sure that you will last.  See what happens if you are still together when her daughter is old enough to decide that she wants you to adopt her.  Just because her father is "worthless" now doesn't mean that he always will be.  As someone else said, your girlfriend didn't think that he was worthless 20 months ago.  Fatherhood is forever and that little girl has the right to know who her biological father is.  Let her decide.

Answer 9

Well, I guess if there's no dad listed on the birth certificat, the mom could put you down.  Otherwise, get a lawyer and go to court to start adoption proceedings.  Remember though, if for some reason things don't work out between you and your girlfriend, you would officially be the dad and would be responsible to pay child support.