Paternity In Maryland
When your child is born you can immediately establish legal paternity by having the biological father acknowledge paternity on the birth certificate. He can do this by filling out a Affidavit of Parentage that confirms he is indeed the father of your child. You both need to sign this form. you can do this in the hospital immediately after your baby is born. If you wait until you leave the hospital you can still use this form to establish legal paternity, but both parties must sign the form in the presence of a notary public. You can get this form from the hospital, the Department of Social Services and the child support offices. This can be done at any through out your child’s life.
Once you sign this document it becomes legally binding after 60 days. Once the 60 days has passed this document can only be challenged in a court of law. However, until the court finds the document invalid the legal father named on the document is responsible for the child and their name remains on that child’s birth certificate. This document can be signed by a minor without the consent of their parent or guardian.
If your child’s biological father is not present the child support enforcement office can help you prove legal paternity. With your cooperation they will locate the alleged father. They will either have him sign the Affidavit of Parentage or have the court order a a paternity test. Establishing paternity is important for a number or reasons:
• It helps a provide a child with a sense of identity
• It shows your child that you care about their overall well-being
• It entitles your child to their biological father’s social security, veteran and life insurance benefits.
• It gives your child access to their father’s medical history
• It entitles your child to financial support from both of their parents