For the Child:
- Legal record of the identity of their parents.
- Father's name on their birth certificate.
- Information on family medical history.
- Emotional benefits of knowing both parents.
- Financial support from both parents that includes child support, social security, veteran's benefits, military allowances, and inheritance.
- Health or life insurance from either parent, if available.
For the Mother:
- Help in sharing parental responsibilities.
- Information about family medical history.
- Improved financial security for the child.
- Access to medical insurance, if available.
For the Father:
- Legal establishment of parental rights.
- Father’s name on the birth certificate.
- Right to seek court ordered custody or visitation.
The easiest way for unmarried teen parents to establish paternity for their child is for both parents to complete a form called a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. This form can be completed any time after the child is born and is available at hospitals, clinics, child support agency offices, family court, and birth registrar’s offices.
A simple test can establish with better than 99% certainty that a man is or is not the biological father of a child, this is called paternity testing.
Once Paternity is established the department of Child Support Services will establish what’s called a support order if requested, which will require the parent without custody to legally provide financial and medical support.
You can visit your local Child support services department or read more here.