In the state of Georgia, paternity must be legally established for a father to have rights and responsibilities toward a child. This is particularly important when parents are unmarried at the time of the child’s birth.

1. Establishing Paternity in Georgia:

• Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity:
  Unmarried parents can voluntarily acknowledge paternity by signing a Paternity Acknowledgment Form at the hospital when the child is born. This form is filed with the State Office of Vital Records.

• Court-Ordered Paternity:
  If paternity is disputed or not voluntarily acknowledged, a court may order paternity testing. This usually involves a DNA test that is legally admissible and can be used to establish paternity in court.

• Importance of Establishing Paternity:
  Establishing paternity is crucial for determining child support, custody, visitation rights, and inheritance. It also allows the child to access benefits such as social security, health insurance, and military benefits from the father.

2. Georgia’s Putative Father Registry:

Georgia maintains a Putative Father Registry, which allows men to register if they believe they are the father of a child born out of wedlock. This registry gives the father the right to be notified of adoption proceedings and to establish paternity if he chooses.

3. Legal Implications:

Once paternity is established, the father has the same rights and responsibilities as if the child were born within a marriage. This includes the obligation to provide financial support and the right to seek custody or visitation.