questions & answers

Question: I just did my paternity test and Iam the father when my daughter was born my ex did not put me on the birth certificate so i want to get another birth certificate with my name on it? Is this a simple procedure done at the social security office just bringing in my paternity test papers. Cause my ex has the original birth certificate?

Answer:

Because the specifics of the situation are unknown, the following is offered as general advice on how to legally establish paternity and change a birth certificate. ARS 36-334 outlines Arizona law regarding how a father’s name is stated on a birth certificate. Please refer to this statute to determine how the law applies to your specific case.

A court order of paternity is required in order establish paternity when one parent cannot be located or is deceased, or to remove one father from a birth certificate and add another one. This link has more information on the process to file a court order of paternity. If both parents are in agreement as to whom the father of a child is, they may file an Acknowledgement of Paternity form to establish paternity.

Please refer to ARS 36-334 to determine what documents will be needed to establish paternity and modify a birth certificate. The Office of Vital Records is a part of the Arizona Department of Health Services, and is in charge of maintaining birth certificates. Please contact their office for any further inquiries.