Seeking A Declaration Of Paternity

When the parents of a child are not married at the beginning of the pregnancy or at the birth of the child, the father is legally without the rights and responsibilities of a parent.

The father, mother or a third party on behalf of the child, must seek a declaration of paternity to legally establish a parent-child relationship with the father.

This process will give the father parental responsibility once paternity has been established while imposing upon him a legal obligation to provide specific financial support for the child.

What you need to know

An unmarried father can only get parental responsibility for his child in 1 of 3 ways:

1. Jointly registering the birth of the child with the mother
2. Getting a parental responsibility agreement with the mother
3. Getting a parental responsibility order from a court

Benefits of Establishing Paternity

By establishing paternity, you will give your child the rights and benefits enjoyed by children born to married parents:

• Legal proof of each parent’s identity.
• Information regarding family medical history (in case of inherited health problems).
• Medical or life insurance from either parent (if available).
• Financial support from both parents, including child maintenance and inheritance.

Tyler Hoffman family solicitors are well-versed in paternity court cases and can guide you through the ins and outs of the process.
The Fathers’ Rights and Responsibilities

By signing the affidavit, the mother and father confirm that he is the biological father of the child. The father’s signature also affirms that he has parental responsibility. All mothers and most fathers have legal rights and responsibilities as a parent – known as ‘parental responsibility.