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Kevin O'Flaherty

Are you wondering, “what rights does a father have if he is on the birth certificate?” Being on a child’s birth certificate suggests paternity but doesn’t grant a carte blanche on paternal rights like custody or visitation. These rights often require legal actions. This article cuts through the complexity, clarifying the rights and necessary steps involved for fathers whose names appear on birth certificates.

For a foundational overview of Illinois paternity laws, check out our article, Illinois Paternity Law Explained.

What rights does a father have if he is on the birth certificate?

If a married couple has a child, both parents will be on the birth certificate with equal rights in regard to the parental responsibility of the child. Unmarried couples, however, do not have the same rights as parents who are wed when they have a child together.

When an unwed father signs the birth certificate, he is acknowledging that he’s the biological and legal father of the child. His signing of the certificate indicates he agrees to the paternity of the child and is taking legal responsibility for the child. In this aspect, legal responsibility means he is liable for the financial support of the child only and does not mean the father has legal rights to access or time-sharing responsibilities with the mother of the child.

For an unwed father to have legal parental responsibilities (such as access and time-sharing), he must obtain a court order defining his rights. To do so, the father must file a Petition to Establish Paternity with the court. Until such access and rights are granted by the court, the mother holds 100% control in the decision-making responsibilities and time-share allocation regarding the child.

What Rights Does a Father Have if He is on the Birth Certificate?

Under Illinois law, paternity must be established before the unwed father’s name can even be added to the birth certificate. There are three ways to establish paternity:

  • Both parents must sign and have a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP) form witnessed and filed with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services;
  • An Administrative Paternity Order can be established and entered by HFS’ Child Support Services;
  • An Order of Paternity is established and entered in court judicially.

When the unwed mother and father are in general agreement regarding the responsibilities and rights the father has when it comes to the newborn child, VAP is the most common option. The VAP is a legal document that the hospital can provide to the parents at the time of birth. The VAP can also, however, be completed, signed, witnessed, and filed at any time for any child.

A common misperception of the VAP is that it automatically grants the father full rights to parental responsibilities. This is not the case. The VAP serves as the ability for the father to be named on the birth certificate, and therefore be liable for child support. Once paternity has been established and the father’s name is on the birth certificate, the father has the right to file an action to seek scheduled time with the child and participate in parental responsibilities with the child’s mother.

To learn more about how courts determine parental responsibilities, check out our article on  Illinois Parenting Laws.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Each individual's legal needs are unique, and these materials may not be applicable to your legal situation. Always seek the advice of a competent attorney with any questions you may have regarding a legal issue. Do not disregard professional legal advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.

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