Are grandparents allowed to have their name placed on their grandchild’s birth certificate?

In New York, grandparents are allowed to have their name placed on their grandchild’s birth certificate in certain situations. Under state law, the legal guardians of a child may request a court order or an amended birth certificate from the Department of Health if they show that the grandparents are in a parental relationship with the child. Grandparents can petition the court for custody or visitation rights, or, in some cases, guardianship. A court will enter an order granting guardianship if it finds that the grandparents are the most suitable guardians. Such orders typically include the signing of a birth certificate. Other cases can call for an amended birth certificate without the necessity of a court order. Grandparents may request an amended birth certificate by submitting an Application for Filing an Amendment to a Birth Certificate, which can be found online. This application requires the signature of both the legal guardian of the child and a grandparent. In cases where the legal guardian is deceased or unable to sign the application, the grandparent may request the amendment via a petition to the court. The court will then consider whether the grandparent has a close and meaningful bond with the child and whether it is in the child’s best interest for the amendment to be made. Overall, grandparents in New York do have the right to have their name placed on their grandchild’s birth certificate in certain situations. However, this process can differ depending on the circumstances. If a grandparent wishes to pursue this course of action, they should seek out guidance from a family law attorney.

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