Common Q's

Paternity and Birth Certificates

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1. How do I add the father's name and information to a birth certificate?
2. How do I change the father's name and information on a birth certificate when there is already a father listed on it?
3. How do I remove the father's name and information from a birth certificate?
4. Can the mother's information be removed from a birth certificate?
5. Does a court order terminating the parental rights allow information to be removed from a birth certificate?
6. What if one of the parents is deceased?
7. Can the name of a stepfather be added to a birth certificate using the Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage?
8. What about changing the child's last name?
9. I need to remove my name as the father from a child's birth certificate. What do I need to do?
10. I need a copy of the Acknowledgement of Paternity form that was filed for my child. How can I get one sent to me?

How do I add the father's name and information to a birth certificate? Texas

This is the most common change made using the Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage. If the father's information had been left blank on the birth certificate, these items can be added to the birth certificate by submitting the Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage form, signed by both parents in the presence of a notary public, and one of the following documents:

• Certified copy of a marriage license between the mother and the biological father
• Properly completed State of Texas Acknowledgement of Paternity form (VS-159.1)
• Certified copy of a court decree establishing parentage between the child and the biological father

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How do I change the father's name and information on a birth certificate when there is already a father listed on it? Texas

The father's name and information on the existing birth certificate can by changed with:

• The Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage, signed by at least one of the parents in the presence of a notary public, and a certified copy of a court order indicating the true and correct biological father; or
• The Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage, signed by both parents in the presence of a notary public, and a completed Acknowledgement of Paternity form (VS-159.1) signed by the mother and biological father. In addition, the man presently listed as the father on the existing birth certificate is required to sign the denial portion of the Acknowledgement of Paternity form.

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How do I remove the father's name and information from a birth certificate? Texas

This requires a certified copy of a court order indicating that:

• The man currently listed as the father on the birth certificate is not the biological father, or
• The father's rights have been terminated, and his name is to be removed from the birth certificate. In this case, the Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage can be signed in the presence of a notary public by either the mother or by the man whose name is being removed from the birth certificate.

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Can the mother's information be removed from a birth certificate?

Yes. The mother's birth information can be removed using the Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage if a court order was granted that terminates the mother's rights and specifically states that her information is to be removed from the birth certificate.
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Does a court order terminating the parental rights allow information to be removed from a birth certificate?

Information can be removed only if the court order has stated that the father listed on the birth certificate is not the biological father or if it specifically states that a person's name and information are to be removed from the birth record.

Determining the validity of a biological father can be conducted via a DNA paternity test offered by AccuMolecular Diagnostics. Please contact your attorney for information specific to your case. Call AccuMolecular Diagnostics to schedule your paternity test at 1-(866)-586-6189 toll free or locally in San Antonio at (210)-767-3951.
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What if one of the parents is deceased?

If one of the parents is deceased, a court order indicating true and correct parentage is needed to add a parent's name and information to the birth certificate.

AccuMolecular Diagnostics can help you in this situation given our ability to draw DNA samples from deceased parents or conduct a successful test using relatives. Additional testing and procedures are required, call us at 1-(866)-586-6189 toll free or locally in San Antonio at (210)-767-3951 for more information.
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Can the name of a stepfather be added to a birth certificate using the Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage?

No. The Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage cannot be used to add a stepfather to the birth certificate. This form can only be used when adding the biological father to the birth certificate.
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What about changing the child's last name?

The child's last name can be changed to the father's last name if both parents are in agreement and they both sign the Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage in the presence of a notary public. However, if a court order already addresses a name change for the child, the child's name must be changed to what the court has ordered it to be.
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I need to remove my name as the father from a child's birth certificate. What do I need to do?

Two documents are needed:

• Either the biological mother or the man currently listed as the father on the birth certificate must complete and sign an Application for a New Birth Certificate Based on Parentage in front of the notary public. Where the application asks for father's information, you will write 'Removing Father.'
• The second document must be a certified copy of a court order that states that the man currently listed as the father on the birth certificate is not the biological father, or that the father's rights have been terminated and that his information is to be removed from the birth certificate. Please Note: Terminating parental rights will not remove the father's information from the birth certificate unless the court order specifically states that the father's information is to be removed.

The man having his name removed from the birth certificate may not change the child's name unless the court order states that the child's name is to be changed.

Contact your private attorney for the specifics in obtaining a court order. The legal case will require determination that the father on the birth certificate is not the biological father and this can be determined through a DNA paternity test offered through AccuMolecular Diagnostics. Contact us at 1-(866)-586-6189 toll free or locally in San Antonio at (210)-767-3951 for more information or to schedule your paternity test.
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I need a copy of the Acknowledgement of Paternity form that was filed for my child. How can I get one sent to me?

Parents or their legal representative can request a certified copy of the Acknowledgement of Paternity form from the Acknowledgement of Paternity Registry.
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