What last name should be used on the birth certificate?
If the parents are married, typically the father’s last name is used. If the parents are not married but the father’s name will be used on the birth certificate, both parents must sign a Paternity Acknowledgement Form before the mother is discharged from the hospital. The father must provide picture identification such as a State Driver’s License, State ID or Passport when signing the form. If the father does not sign the Paternity Acknowledgement Form, the baby will have the mother’s legal name and the father’s name and information will not be included on the child’s birth certificate.
If the parents are married, typically the father’s last name is used. If the parents are not married but the father’s name will be used on the birth certificate, both parents must sign a Paternity Acknowledgment Form before the mother is discharged from the hospital. The mother and father must provide current picture identification such as a State Driver’s License, State ID or Passport when signing the form. If both mother and father do not sign the Paternity Acknowledgment Form, the baby will have the mother’s legal name and the father’s name and information will not be included on the child’s birth certificate.
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