Getting Last Name on Birth Certificate

[paguy30]

Me and my girlfriend ar expecting a baby, and unfortunately things between us have turned sour.  She was married and has stated she plans on having her married name placed on the birth certificate.  Does anyone know how I go about making sure my last name is listed? Do I have that right?  (I do plan on being very inlvolved in baby's life even if we don't work out.)

[joni]

...the child is yours.   Once you admit to paternity, you're hooked for life to that child....even if you find out down the road it's not yours.

http://www.deltabravo.net/faq/pat_ans15.htm

[Brent]

> (I do plan on being very inlvolved in baby's life
>even if we don't work out.)

Be aware you will have to fight for your right to help parent this child, especially if she's uncooperative. But before you sign ANYTHING, get a paternity test done. You wouldn't be the first guy to find out that "your" child isn't really yours.

Then I'd suggest reading these:

Protecting Yourself During Divorce
http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/protect.htm

Tips For Getting Started
http://www.deltabravo.net/news/10-19-2000.htm

Also, one of the first things you'll hear around here is "Document, document, document!". Having good records is *crucial*. Get yourself either the Parenting Time Tracker (PTT) at: http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/tracker.htm or the OPTIMAL Custody Tracking service at: http://www.parentingtime.net. The PTT is good, but the OPTIMAL service is better.

[DMann]

am new here, but hope this helps, i found it by using advice from someone else

http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/birthcert.htm

[Indigo Mom]

You said she was married?  What do you mean married?  As in married to another man and had an "affair" with you?  Separated from her husband and had a relationship with you?  Still with the husband?  Married, but divorced at the time of your relationship...but chose to keep her married name? Define "was married", please.

Because...if she was married/still is married/blah blah blah, then I believe the husband is automatically assumed to be the father, leaving you with nada.  

If she was married at the time of conception, does this guy know the child isn't his?  Does he know anything about it?  Is the child his???

Now...if she wasn't married at the time of conception, then you can sign a "sworn statement of paternity" in the hospital (pink form, i believe) before your name shows up ANYWHERE on the birth certificate.

HOWEVER...is this baby yours?  That's another thing you must consider.  Very important...even more important than signing away the next 18 years of your life......