If there is no "father" name on the birth certificate can someone else be added to it later on.?

Question

In the state of California.

How does someone go about adopting their girlfriends child? Is there a time frame that the name could just be added to the birth certificate... without the whole adoption process?

The biological father doesn't provide for the child in any way and doesn't want anything to do with the child.

Answer 1

I don't think it matters what the bio father wants or doesn't want.  The court may order a paternity test, and even though he doesn't want to see the child, he is still legally responsible for supporting him, including any back support.  However, if a non-bio person wants their name on the certificate, they would still have to go through the adoption process, and the bio father would have to sign his rights away.

Answer 2

I'm not sure exactly how the law works.  However, I do know that if you sign an acknowledgement of Paternity then you are the child's father even if later your DNA turns out not to match.  If it's not too late, you may just wish to sign the "acknowledgement of paternity" and "pretend" you are the childs biological father.  As long as they don't ask for a DNA verification, you're in the clear.  Usually the state won't ask for it, because they don't want to waste money if you're not whining.  

Be careful before you do this though.  If you decide to be the child's father, then even if things between you and the mother don't work out, you're still Daddy.  That means you'll have rights to the child, but you'll also be required to pay child support.  Adopting a child is a major decision, so don't take it lightly.  However, if you truly love this baby, go with your gut.  Sometimes waiting too long can be disastrous too (like if something happened to the mother).

Answer 3

It depends on if your state allows two singles to adopt the same child. If not then you would need to be married to the mother before you can adopt her child. Also, even if the birthfather is not involved, if he has not signed his rights away or had them taken away, then no one can adopt the child without his consent.

Also before you made a lifetime commiment to the child, you need to think about if you are ready, willing and able to make a lifelong committment to the mother. Once you adopt this child if it doesn't work out with you and the mother think about the impact it will have on the child if you just walk away. Then the child would have lost not one but two fathers.

Also, no that if you adopt, you are making a legal committment to provide for this child, regardless of what happens between you and the mother, so unless that is what you are looking to do, think real hard before your next step.

If this is what you really want to do, then you need to talk to an adoption lawyer or a family relations lawyer in your state for legal advise as to how to proceed.

Answer 4

I added my boyfriends name to my daughter's birth certificate four months after she was born, and he's not the biological father, he just had to show id

Answer 5

I have to answer this question with a question.

Why all the need to prove OWNERSHIP of a PERSON???

Why not just assume responsibility of the child and love it? Why does there need to be this fake proof of fake paternity? A birth certificate is made out to CERTIFY A BIRTH! Since only the two people who have donated their genes to the child can have anything to do with the birth of said child this all seems very wrong.

Answer 6

You don’t have to be married to adopt your girlfriends child. She just has to be willing to allow you to adopt her, and her biological father must sign his rights away. Look at Brad and Angie, Brad’s adopted all of Angie’s adopted kids, but they aren’t married.

Talk to an attorney they can get you some more information.

Answer 7

Not exactly sure it probably depends on the state you live in. However I do know that in New York state one does not have to be the biological father to be put on the birth certificate it could be any man willing to take on that responsibility for that child.

Edited: I only know this cause I receantly had a baby and read the forms out as you should. My boyfriend who is the father did sign it but they made it clear to him that if he doubts it not to sign because he would then giving consent to care for child. Should of taken DNA test later after signing and found out it was not his, it's then a bunch of paper work and so forth to change that certificate, again this is in NY state.

Answer 8

Just because the father's name is not on the birth certificate does not mean that the father's rights do not exist.  First of all, nobody is going to let you adopt your girlfriend's child. You have to marry her first.  Then, she has to file and either have the father sign paperwork giving up his rights  or file to have his rights stricken.  Many judges are aware that women play games, so pretty much, if you don't contact the guy, you are out of luck. Many judges today will not accept abandonment without talking to any of the relatives of the father in question.

BTW, you could not otherwise add your name to the child's birth certificate.  If the father came back later, you would be arrested for fraud. DNA has completely changed the rules.

<<in South Carolina you can just add a fathers name (biological or not)>>

Good to know that SC encourages fraud.

Answer 9

In order to be added at a later date I believe you must supply DNA proof of paternity. You can ask the father to sign away his rights.