Paternity

questions & answers

Question: My girlfriend is having a baby and I want to sign the birth certificate as the babys father. Can I do this?

Answer: ARS 36-334. Determining maternity and paternity for birth certificates

A. A person completing a birth certificate shall state the name of the woman who gave birth to the child on the birth certificate as the child's mother unless otherwise provided by law or court order.

B. The state registrar shall not refuse to register a birth certificate because the birth certificate does not include the name of the father.

C. If a father's name is stated on a birth certificate, the father's name shall be stated on a birth certificate as follows:

1. Except as provided in section 25-814, if the mother is married at the time of birth or was married at any time in the ten months before the birth, the name of the mother's husband.

2. If a mother and father who are not married to each other at the time of birth and were not married to each other in the ten months before the birth voluntarily acknowledge paternity pursuant to section 25-812, the name of the father acknowledging paternity.

3. If the state registrar receives an administrative order or a court order establishing paternity, the father's name in the order.

D. If the acknowledgement of paternity is rescinded pursuant to section 25-812, the state registrar shall remove the father's name from the registered birth certificate.

You may want to consult with an attorney.