Is a father legally obligated to pay child support if he is not named on the birth certificate?

In Washington, a father is not necessarily required to pay child support if he is not named on the birth certificate. This is because in Washington, the law does not automatically assume legal paternity unless the father has voluntarily acknowledged paternity or the court has established paternity. Without either of these acknowledgments, the father does not legally have to pay child support. If the mother of the child does wish to pursue child support, she can file a legal action with the court to establish paternity and require the father to pay support. In this case, the father would be required to submit to genetic testing and other tests to show whether or not he is the biological father of the child. If the court determines that the father is the legal father, the father is then obligated to pay support according to the guidelines set by the court. In some cases, a mother may choose to name an unmarried man as the father on the birth certificate in order to receive support for the child. This is considered fraud in Washington, and if discovered, can result in criminal charges. Therefore, it is important for all parties involved to ensure that the father is named on the birth certificate only if he is the legal father of the child.

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Is a father legally obligated to pay child support if he is not named on the birth certificate?

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