Q: If I know the father and he is absent what are the pros and cons of putting him on the birth certificate w/ permission?
What would benefit from either decision? Also, would the child have to take the father's last name if we are not married ?
A: You cannot list him on the birth certificate unless he signs a paternity acknowledgement. This would obligate him to pay support, but no rights to the child are established by this. That is the only benefit of listing him. Otherwise, having his name on the birth certificate means next to nothing.
Homer P Jordan IV agrees with this answer
A: I agree with my colleague. If he signs a paternity acknowledgement you will be able to get child support, but it doesn't do anything else and won't give him any legal rights to the child. In order for him to get legal rights to the child he would need to go through the legitimation process. -Homer P. Jordan IV, Esq. 404-620-1558 HomerJordan.com
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