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You can list the father on the birth certificate, but the father does not have any rights until an Arkansas Court enters an order declaring the father as the legal father. Both parents can sign an affidavit that establishes paternity ? legally stating that the man is the father of the baby ? at birth.

If You Were Never Married When a child is born to an unmarried woman, the mother of the child has legal custody of that child automatically. That means if the father desires visitation or custody with the child, he must petition for paternity, custody, or visitation before he has the rights of visitation or custody.

Establishing paternity is easy and free. The process is available to parents if the mother was not married at the time of birth or if the biological father is someone other than the mother's current spouse. Both parents must sign and have their signature witnessed and notarized by a Notary Public.

The biological father's name will not be placed on the birth certificate without filling out an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP). This is called paternity establishment, and it establishes the biological father as the legal father.

Unmarried fathers receive the same rights and treatment under the law as divorced parents. New determinations of paternity be considered a "material change of circumstances" to allow for modification of custody. Punitive actions be taken against those who deceive the court regarding matters of paternity.

Secondly, observing physical similarities in your unborn kid, such as similar facial characteristics or hair color, may also reveal information. Thirdly, consideration of genetic traits, such as blood type or eye color, inherited from the families of the possible fathers can also provide some clues.

File this petition with the clerk of the court at the county courthouse in the county where the child lives. In small counties, there may be only one office for the clerk of court. In others, there may be different clerks for juvenile court, domestic relations court, circuit court, or family court.

The parties can consent to an administrative proceeding whereby a DNA test will be ordered by the Alabama Department of Human Resources. If the test is conclusive, the parties will then need to file a petition to establish paternity with an Alabama court and receive an official court order.

In Alabama, children who are born to a married woman are legally presumed to be the children of the husband. It is important to note that only the husband can successfully challenge the paternity of a child born during the marriage. The mother cannot do so.