Full question:
Married Couple in the state of Wisconsin, the wife had an affair and got pregnant. Her husband is not the father because he had a surgical medical procedure to not have children. He signed the birth certificate when the child was born. After 4 years the wife had a paternity test with the child biological father and separated with her husband. The biological father then started to see the child on a regular basis and that child calls him daddy. What legal right does that biological father have to add his name as father on the child’s birth certificate?
- Category: Paternity
- Subcategory: Birth Certificate
- Date:
- State: Wisconsin
Answer:
The biological father can legally change the father's name on the child's birth certificate after establishing paternity. Once paternity is confirmed, the state registrar must prepare a new certificate reflecting this change. This process is governed by Wisconsin law, specifically under the statutes regarding changes to birth certificates (Wis. Stat. § 69.15). The state registrar will prepare a new certificate if they receive a court order that establishes paternity or indicates that the husband listed on the birth certificate is not the biological father. If the biological father has been recognized as the child's father, his name can be added to the birth certificate, replacing the husband's name.This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.