In Pennsylvania, when a child is born to unmarried parents, there is no legal relationship between the father and the child. Unmarried parents can establish a legal relationship between the father and the child. This is called paternity establishment.

Birth Certificate

Paternity must be established before your child's birth certificate will show the name of the father.

Medical History

After the identity of your child's father is legally established, your child will have access to his or her father's medical history. This information is important to doctors and your child's good health.

Child Support

Your child's father may be required by a court to pay child support and provide health insurance coverage for your child.

Social Security

If your child's father becomes disabled or dies, your child may receive Social Security benefits.

Inheritance

Your child may share a right to inherit property from his or her father's estate.

Life Insurance

Your child may be entitled to his or her father's life insurance benefits.

U.S. Military Benefits

Your child may be eligible for medical coverage and life insurance benefits if his or her father worked for the military or if he works for the military now. If the father suffered a disability while serving in the military, your child could receive help paying for a college education.

How will this benefit my child?

Pennsylvania's welfare law requires welfare clients to establish paternity, unless there is a "good cause" reason for not doing so, like a domestic violence situation. If you have questions, talk to your welfare caseworker.

How to establish paternity

There are two ways to establish paternity. A mother and father can sign a form called "Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity." The Domestic Relations Office of the county court also can help parents establish paternity. If both parents complete the paternity form, you don't have to go to court to establish paternity. However, if you receive cash welfare benefits, or want to get a Child Support Order, you must still go to the Domestic Relations Office. Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity forms are available from these places:

Hospitals and Birthing Centers, County Assistance Offices

The hospital, birthing center, or County Assistance Office can help you complete the form.

Paternity establishment forms also are available by calling DPW's Bureau of Child Support Enforcement free at 1-800-932-0211.

Why is paternity establishment important?

Studies show that fathers play an important role in the lives of their children. Children who have a father figure are more likely to stay in school and avoid drugs and crime. They also are more likely to grow up to be responsible adults.

If the man you think is your child's father won't admit that he is the father, you can establish paternity at the county Domestic Relations Office. The Domestic Relations Office can help you file a petition with the county court. This petition will name the man you think is your child's father and request a child support order.

The Domestic Relations Office will hold a support conference-you and the man you say is your child's father must attend. At this conference, the man has a chance to admit he's your child's father. If the man named as your child's father says he isn't sure he's the father, or he denies it, the court may order a genetic test. If the test proves he is your child's father, the court will issue an order that establishes your child's paternity. This order is legal proof of your child's father.

If you do not know where your child's father is now, or you have questions about establishing paternity, please contact your local Domestic Relations Office. Or, call the state Bureau of Child Support Enforcement free at 1-800-932-0211.

-- Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare