In Massachusettes, does the father of the baby have to sign the birth certificate for it to have his last name

Question

im over 100% sure that the father of my baby isnt going to sign the birth certificate so i was wondering if the baby can still have his last name? and if so is there a site that i can go to that will tell me that..??

Answer 1

It doesn't matter if he signs or not, you can give the baby some made up name if you want..... But honestly if he is not even going to sign, why would you want to give the baby his name? It doesn't matter for child support or anything like that..... I am really glad I gave my son my last name, his bio father is not around at all... It is much easier having the same last name as him.... of coarse now I am married and changed my name, but he still has the same name as his grandparents... and I kept my maiden name as part of my name for him.... Just think about it.....

Answer 2

It's my understanding that you can give the baby any first, middle, and last name that you choose. You could pick something out of the phonebook if you wanted to. And the last name of the baby would have nothing to do with your ability to obtain child support from the father. If you're not married there are two ways that a father can be listed on the birth certificate. The first is for him to sign an affidavit of paternity. The second is a chain of custody DNA test.

Just a thought, if there's not going to be a father involved in the child's life, why not just give the baby your last name?

Answer 3

I have 2 children born in MA. One while married and one out of wedlock. I didn't want to list anyone on my son's birth cert as the father but the nurse told me this info. You can name your baby anything you want and the father doesnt have to sign the birth certificate. However you cannot list the father on the birth certificate unless he signs. If you are married you have to put your husband on the birth certificate. If you were married when you conceived but have since divorced you still have to put your ex-husband as the father (by law). If you were never married the father has to sign in front of the person who handles the birth certificates AND show's ID or he can go the the city clerk and sign in front of the registar. You do not have to do a DNA test for a man to sign the birth certificate. There are men out there who know that the baby a woman is carrying is NOT their child but sign the birth certificate because they WANT to be that child's father for life regardless of bloodline. Name your child as you choose whether or not your child's father signs or not. Just don't do it because you think it will keep him as usually this doesn't work. KNOW what you're doing before you do it. Good luck on your impending birth and congrats.

Answer 4

The father doesn't sign the birth certificate. He signs an affidavit confirming he is the father. He shouldn't do it unless he has a DNA test confirming that he is the baby's father. Increasing numbers of states are requiring this for unmarried parents.

Call the hospital ahead of time and ask for details!

Answer 5

why would you want to give the baby his fathers name if the father is not even willing to sign the birth certificate? Give it some thought, it is a life decision...