Immigrant Parents Paternity and child support information is not shared with federal immigration Every child has authorities. The Acknowledgment of Paternity asks for Social Security numbers two parents for both parents, but the form can be and needs emotional completed even if one or both parents does not have their own valid Social and financial support from Establishing Security number.
Parents do not have to provide information both parents- about their residency, immigration status even if they were Paternity or citizenship in order to establish paternity. never married or If paternity is established and the father’s currently live apart. name is on the birth certificate, the mother may have to show that the father has given permission before she will be allowed to take the child out of the country. If you have questions about Paternity or Child Support please go to our website: newyorkchildsupport.com TTY 866-875-9975
State of New York David A. Paterson, Governor New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance David A. Hansell, Commissioner Pub # 4719 This brochure is about how unmarried Why is paternity so What are the two ways parents can establish paternity important? to establish Paternity? and why establishing paternity is X For the child: Voluntary Acknowledgment important to the mother, father, and • Legal record of the identity of their parents. of Paternity (AOP) • Father’s name on their birth certificate. most importantly their child. Unmarried parents have the option of signing a • Information on family medical history. form called the Voluntary Acknowledgment of • Emotional benefits of knowing both Paternity (available from local hospitals, local Every child has a biological parents. county child support offices and local birth • Financial support from both parents, registrars). This is a no cost, simple and father and mother including child support, social security, convenient method, but not everyone is veteran’s benefits, military allowances, eligible to use it. Be sure to read the AOP form and inheritance. carefully because it has the same legal force as • Health or life insurance from either parent, a court order. The following are examples when if available. couples should not sign the AOP: X If the mother was legally married to anyone at X For the mother: the time she became pregnant or during pregnancy • Help in sharing parental responsibilities. up until the baby’s birth. • Information about family medical history. X If the mother is separated and not legally • Improved financial security for the child. divorced. If the man is not sure that he is the father. • Access to medical insurance, if available. X but if the parents are not legally married If you have questions ask your medical provider/ X For the father: at the time of birth, the law does not child support worker or local birth registrar. recognize the father as the child’s legal • Legal establishment of parental rights. father and does not give him any rights • Father’s name on the birth certificate. or responsibilities to the child. There are • Right to seek court ordered custody or Filing a Paternity Petition visitation. steps that must be taken so the biological If you choose or need to establish paternity through • Right to be informed and have a say in father can become the legal father, and that adoption proceedings. a family court hearing, the court may order DNA is what establishing paternity is all about. testing to determine the father of the child. This test involves the mother, child, and alleged father Being the legal father of your child going to a designated site where a lab technician does not automatically mean that you will rub a cotton swab on the inside of their cheek will be required to pay child support (it is a painless procedure). The lab results are sent or get custody or visitation. These are to the court. DNA testing is the most accurate way to determine the father of a child. separate issues from establishing paternity and require separate court determinations.