Rights and Responsibilities of a Parent
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF YOU SIGN THIS FORM?
By signing this Certificate of Parentage, you are legally establishing your child's paternity. Paternity means fatherhood. For parents who are not married to each other, paternity may be established legally only by signing this form or by going to court. Parents who are married to each other do not need to sign this form because their child's paternity is already established.
Signing the form is voluntary. However, since signing this form has legal consequences, you may want to consult an attorney before you sign.
Paternity is legally established on the date both parents sign this form. If you want to have a blood or genetic test to verify paternity, do not sign this form until you have received the results of the test. Once signed by both parents and witnessed or notarized, this form will have the same binding effect as a court order of paternity.
This form allows a parent to seek a child support order without further court proceedings to establish paternity. This form may be filed in court and serve as the basis for orders of custody or visitation.
This form is not a public record. It will only be available to the parents and child named on this form, the child's legal guardian or legal representative, or government officials in the conduct of their official duties.
WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS PARENTS?
Both parents are required by law to support their child from birth. If your child does not live with you, you may be ordered by the court to pay child support until the child's nineteenth birthday, or beyond in some circumstances.
A parent who does not live with the child may have the right to visit and establish a relationship with the child as you both agree or as ordered by the court.
Benefits for Your Child
HOW WILL YOUR CHILD BENEFIT IF YOU SIGN THIS FORM?
Every child has the right to know his or her mother and father and benefit from a relationship with both parents. Your child will have two legal parents. It will be easier for your child to learn the medical histories of both parents and to benefit from healthcare coverage available to you.
Your child has a right to financial support from both parents until age nineteen, or beyond in some circumstances. It will be easier for your child to receive benefits such as dependent or survivor's benefits from the Veteran's Administration or from the Social Security Administration.
It will be easier for your child to receive any inheritance that you leave to them.
Recision Information
WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?
The Certificate of Parentage can be rescinded within 60 days of the date signed if both parties agree to rescind by filing a Recision of Certificate of Parentage with the Bureau of Vital Records (Recision Information).
If only one person wants to rescind within the 60 day timeframe, an action must be filed with the court.
If the Certificate of Parentage is rescinded within the 60 day time frame, the father's name and information will be removed from your child's birth certificate. Please note that either party can bring a court action to establish paternity at a later date.
After this 60 day period, parents can challenge the Certificate of Parentage in court only on the basis of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. The parent attempting to disestablish paternity must provide proof of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact.