Is the mother required to sign the acknowledgment of paternity in Alabama?

Full question:

My boyfriend wants to sign the acknowledgment of paternity of our daughter. I want to know if the mother of the child is also required to sign the acknowledgement or is it only the father who signs the acknowledgment. We are residing in the state of Alabama.

  • Category: Paternity
  • Date:
  • State: Alabama

Answer:

In Alabama, both the mother and the man claiming to be the child's father must sign the acknowledgment of paternity to establish paternity. This acknowledgment can be signed at the time of the child's birth or any time before the child turns nineteen.

According to Alabama law (Code of Ala. § 26-17-301), the acknowledgment is valid when both parents sign it. Additionally, before signing, both parents must be informed of their legal rights and responsibilities related to the acknowledgment (Code of Ala. § 26-17-304). Therefore, the mother is indeed required to sign the acknowledgment of paternity along with the father.

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.

FAQs

An acknowledgment of paternity is a legal document that establishes a man as the father of a child. In Alabama, both the mother and the father must sign this document to confirm paternity. This can occur at the child's birth or any time before the child turns nineteen. Signing this acknowledgment gives the father legal rights and responsibilities regarding the child.