Are there any special considerations for unmarried fathers in establishing paternity?

Yes, there are special considerations for unmarried fathers in establishing paternity in Maryland. The most important of these considerations is that unmarried fathers will need to establish paternity in order to gain paternity rights such as access to their child, the ability to make decisions about their child, and the right to receive child support. Paternity can be established in two ways: either by signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) form or by going to court and obtaining a court-ordered paternity order. If an Acknowledgement of Paternity form is signed, both parents must be present and each must have a valid government-issued identification card for identification purposes. The Acknowledgement must be signed by both parents and witnessed by a notary. After the AOP is signed and notarized, the father’s name can be added to the child’s birth certificate and he can be added to the child’s medical insurance. If a father wishes to establish paternity through the court system, the father must first file a Petition to Establish Paternity. If the father is unable to get the mother to agree to establish paternity, he must then present evidence of paternity to the court. This could include genetic testing and other documents such as birth certificates and medical records. The court will then decide if the father has a sufficient amount of evidence proving paternity and, if so, will issue a court ordered paternity finding. This finding will give the father paternity rights.

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Are there any special considerations for unmarried fathers in establishing paternity?

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