Father wont put his name on birth certificate - what rights do i have?

[GrantA]

My baby father wont put his name on the birth certificate, what rights do I have?

We already have a child together and i am expecting our second child, the problem is, that he had an affair with my older sister as a result of their actions we have split up. They are still together and he says he wont put his name on the birth certificate. I feel that he should do, but dont know where i stand legally.

He does not pay any maintenance for his first child and he always says he will but i havent gone thru the courts yet, as i just want to make sure my current child and my unborn child are settled before adding this stress to my life.

[boxtops]

I can't answer your question, but I just wanted to say that I am deeply sorry for your situation - he sounds a charmer. Is his name on your first child's birth certificate?

[Bobbisox]

Oh Dear, I echo Boxys sentiments here, he does seem to be getting away with any form of responsibility though

[bednobs]

if you are not married, unless he comes to the register office with you, you can't put him on

[hc4361]

You can still give your child his name though, if that is what you want.

[Nini74]

awww - what a sleaze ball he is! and i'm sorry to hear that of all the women in the world, it was your own sister he had an affair with. I'm sorry - i can't answer your question properly but i'm pretty sure bednobs is right - you can only put father's name on if your married (unless he goes with you). he may change his mind by the time the baby's born - have you thought about approaching your sister about it? would she help persuade him to do the right thing for a change? x

[welshlibranr]

personally, I'd be happy if he didn't put his name on the birth certificate!.......that gives him rights to the child!......no name, no rights!....

[hc4361]

Every child is entitled to have his or her father's name on the birth certificate, surely?

[ladybirder]

But if one child has his name on, and the other doesn't, that will be awful for the unacknowledged child when he/she realises. What a cruel thing to do.

[GrantA]

At the end of the day, they are both as bad as one another, they are both to blame for this, as which ever one started it, the other should of said NO. My only concern is for my children, one will have their fathers name on the certificate whilst the other wont. It is not about me and what gone on with the father, but what is right for the child. No matter what both my children will have the same surname, even if he cant be a man and put his name on the certificate, he is the one who will have to answer to the child when they ask why.

Thanks for the comments.

[craft1948]

I would have thought that you could put his name on, and if he disputes it have a paternity test.

[ladybirder]

That was exactly the point I made. It happened to somebody I know and it has blighted their life. I am so sorry.

[GrantA]

Thank you for all the comments, but i have now had my child and he has now agreed to put his name on the birth certificate, we have an appointment next week. So i am hoping that he does turn up, so at least he can do the right thing sometimes.