Birth certificates and the CSA?

Question

When my daughter was born I was not with the mother and she did not include me on the birth certificate.

We have since formed a more constructive and cooperative relationship (not romantic!) and I have a good relationship with my 11 year old daughter.

My Ex and her new boyfriend were concerned that 'were anything to happen to them', I would have to prove my paternity before having custody of my daughter. I'm not sure it would be a problem to prove my paternity as I am well known as the father. But anyway....

They think I should be on the birth certificate for that eventuality. This brings me to the CSA. I pay good maintainance to my ex and am worried the CSA might demand more than I have already paid (which I'm sure I couldn't afford) if my name appeared on the birth certificate.

Am I overestimating the enthusiasm of the CSA and how difficult is it to prove paternity to the relevant authority without being named on the birth certificate?

Answer 1

the csa dont get involved unless she is claiming benefits or she or you involve them.

as a rule of thumb you should be contributing about 15% of your take home salary for your daughter, so that will give you an idea of whether it will affect you or not. they do however knock 1/7th off for every overnight stay, and the first 10% is taken off for any kids you have living under your roof regardless of who's it is!!!! bizarre ruling if you ask me and completely contradicts one of your answerers who said the 1st kids come 1st (treated as abandoned), they most certainly do not...my kids can testify to that, besides if you cant afford the kids youve got, why would you continue impreganating people...it very much depends on the calibre of the father whether he puts his kids first.

you sound like a great dad, get your name on that certificate then you and your daughter are all official and legal.

Answer 2

Lying on the birth certificate could get you both in trouble if you're found out, and if the biological father knows he's the father and wants to get YOU in trouble, he could get you in trouble. Also, it's just plain deceitful and confusing for the kid. And yes, that means you could be stuck with child support and the like. And if your friendship goes sour she could claim things from you. It would also possibly make a difference to other things tax-wise etc. I think she should put the real father on the birth certificate, but not give him access unless he requests it; if he has a history of abuse she should ask for supervised access. Also, as he's being abusive, she should take out a restraining order. If he wants contact with the child and seeks it then your name or not name on the birth certificate won't stop him. It might delay him a bit while DNA tests are ordered and run, but once he's proven he's the father he can seek contact. If he doesn't want to seek contact then it won't matter anyway.

Answer 3

Why would the CSA have to be involved?

If you already have a maintenance agreement with the mother, its OK.

The only time I can think of the CSA becoming invoved for is if shes on benefits or calls in the CSA

Answer 4

You can't ever over estimate the enthusiasm of the CSA!
Tell your ex to draw up a will. You can find a free template if you follow this link

http://www.ilrg.com/forms/lastwill-single-mc/us/

You can avoid the CSA all together with this and if anything were to happen to your ex and her current it will be clearly stated in her who is to care for your daughter.

Answer 5

by law if anything happened to them you dont have a right to your daughter if your name isnt on the certificate, csa would be kept out if everything is fine, unless you or your ex decide the child may not be yours then they are used for a dna,

Answer 6

If you dont already then you need to get a small book to keep record of your child maintainance payments to your ex and each time you pay her write it down and the date and hoe much was paid and get her to sign it each time you pay her. Also i think you should have your name on the birth certificate as it will be nice for you and your daughter as she gets older and has to use it for anything to have her dad's name on it!

Answer 7

i think your best bet would be to seek advice from the Citezens Advice Bureau to be totally sure - as for the CSA - if they were to have any involvement they would almost certainly want proof of income and the like - and chances are your payments could go up -the CSA are absolute Crap, there is no consistancy and little is taken in regard to the person paying csa, (my hubby pays over £250 a month for his daughter, which is a little crippling on us and his ex wife is on over 47k year, he too takes his responsibilities seriously, and provides other things as well - yet they still want more money off him despite the fact he now has to support our child that we have together and that i gave up my job to stay at home to bring up the baby, as chid care is just too expensive and he earns too much for us to qualify for child care help) CSA just see the child from the previous realtionship as 'abandoned' and will try and claim as much of the income from the absent parent as possible regardless of circumstances and burden it places on finances, however hats of to you, your ex and her partner for being responsible and taking your responsibilties seriously and amicably. not many families are this levelheaded and easy to cooperate with.

As for the birth certificate - i would agree to putting your name on their as she is your flesh and blood and now you have the opportunity - seize it.

all the best

Answer 8

Sic an attorney on them and make sure it's one that knows how to handle the CSA.

Answer 9

putting your name on the certificate shouldnt make your child support go up...i couldnt imagine why?? when you started paying her, did you sign an order of paternity? if so, thats the same as having your name on the certificate

Answer 10

Hey, you should be proud to put your name on her birth certificate if it changes yr payments which i doubt you DEAL WITH IT think of your daughter not yourself and just do it out of love for her.....