Saint Louis, MO asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri

Q: What legal rights does a person get from a paternity test if someone else is already on the birth certificate?

I'm currently not living with my parents but with a family friend that I have been with for a year since they allowed me to. I am wanting to move in with what my mom claims to be my biological father. Though when I was born she had another guy sign as my dad. I have rarely spoken to my parents, when I asked if I could do this they told me no. Once a dna test establishes he is the father, will have any rights to get custody of me?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Kristen Thurmond
Kristen Thurmond
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Licensed in Missouri

A: When someone signs a birth certificate or some other legal document, that person has two years to determine whether or not the father is the biological father. After two years, there's nothing that person can do. However, if your biological father wanted to adopt you, then that would be the best way to fix your birth certificate. I'm not aware of any way for a child or adult petitioning to change the parents on the birth certificate.

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