How To Remove A Father’s Name From A Birth Certificate?

Recently, I was asked by an associate of mine if it was possible to have his name removed from a birth certificate if he is not the biological father of the child but, considered by the state to be the legal father. So today, I decided this would be a good opportunity for me to share my thoughts on how one might get this done.

In order for a legal father to have his name removed from a birth certificate. He must first file a petition with the court. The reasoning for removal must be viable for grounds for name removal on the birth certificate.

The first thing the legal father must do if he is filing a petition is to disestablish paternity by way of a DNA test. This will be the most convincing evidence for a legal father to convince a judge to consider name removal.

Once the Judge approves your petition the Judge will issue a court order for the name change. It is important to make sure the court order specifically states that the legal father name is to be removed. If this small detail is not performed you run the risk of the Vital Records Department not removing the father’s name in the event you forget this detail.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Removing a non-biological father’s name from a birth certificate might seem like a daunting task to undertake, but it is not when you obtain adequate guidance and thus have the proper knowledge under your belt to do so efficiently. There is more than one method that a mother can opt for in order for this type of modification to take place. The following are the top ways on how to remove a non-biological father from a birth certificate, without hassles.

Within 90-days after a child is born, eliminating a non-biological father from a birth certificate can be performed in a timely fashion manner by simply filing a birth certificate modification application with the Department of Health. If 90-days have passed, one will now have to make a petition to a judge.

Petition to Judge

The judge that is assigned to one’s case will need to hear the reasons as to why an alteration is required. Depending on the circumstance of your case, a paternity test might be necessary in order for a change to be ordered.

Opting for Paternity Case

Filing a paternity case against the biological father is another route to consider. During the case, it is important to inform the judge that you want your birth certificate amended. This is one of the most common ways mothers opt to remove a non-biological father’s name from a birth certificate, as proof will speak for itself.

Requesting New Birth Certificate

A new birth certificate request can be made, but it is important to highlight that a great number of states will require a court order for it to be granted, one that expresses that the father’s name on the birth certificate is not actually the biological father.

Being Aware of Your State’s Requirements

It is vital to highlight that even though the previously mentioned are the top ways a name of a non-biological father can be removed from a birth certificate, every state is different and thus there might be some requirements that might accompany this type of modification request. There are some states that require that another name is integrated right after name elimination, hence the importance of being aware of your state’s requirements so that no surprise arises later on down the road.

If the biological father’s name is not on the birth certificate he has automatically deemed a non-custodial parent. What a non-custodial parent is, Is a parent who does not have legal custody of his or her child under state law. Therefore the non-custodial parent can not make any decisions toward the child’s life without the custodial parent’s consent.

In Texas, birth certificate processing can take anywhere between 4-6 weeks from the date on which the acknowledgment of paternity is signed at the hospital.

In New Jersey, birth certificate processing can take anywhere between 3-4 weeks from the date in which the acknowledgment of paternity is signed at the hospital.

In New York, birth certificate processing can take anywhere between 3 weeks from the date in which the acknowledgment of paternity is signed at the hospital.

In Florida, birth certificate processing can take anywhere between 4-6 weeks from the date on which the acknowledgment of paternity is signed at the hospital.

In Pennsylvania, birth certificate processing can take anywhere between 4-7 weeks from the date on which the acknowledgment of paternity is signed at the hospital.

Normally the process can take 3 weeks after a child is born in order to receive a birth certificate in New York.