Redact Legal West Virginia Paternity Forms For Free

Who has the right to custody of a child? Unless there is a court custody order, both parents of a child have equal rights to physical possession of a child. This is true even if the parties are not married to each other.

In West Virginia, paternity is what gives a father the right to request custody and visitation with his child. And once paternity is established, the father is legally obligated to provide financial support to his child.

West Virginia law provides that the name of the father shall be included on the birth record of the child of unmarried parents only if: an affidavit of paternity signed before a notary by the mother and the person to be named as the father, or. a court or competent jurisdiction has issued an adjudication of paternity.

How can I establish paternity for my baby? Ask to complete a voluntary paternity affidavit at the hospital when the baby is born. If paternity is not established at birth, telephone the Bureau for Child Support Enforcement in the county where you live for assistance.

This legal document, called a Declaration of Paternity Affidavit, may be obtained and completed at the hospital at the time of the child's birth. Also, you can get a copy of this form by calling the West Virginia Office of Vital Statistics at 304-558-2931.

(h) A notarized affidavit of paternity, signed by the mother and the man to be named as the father, acknowledging that the man is the father of the child, legally establishes the man as the father of the child for all purposes, and child support may be established pursuant to the provisions of chapter forty-eight of ...