If you are not married when your child is born, your child doesn’t not have a legal father. The child’s father’s name WILL NOT appear on the birth certificate. Unless a man becomes the legal father, his child may miss out on many things that married parents take for granted like social security, health insurance, inheritance rights, and medical history. Parents can establish legal paternity by completing a paternity affidavit at the hospital following the child’s birth or later at the local health department, county attorney’s office or child support office.

For more information, please contact the Kentucky Paternity Acknowledgement Program Toll Free at 1-888-675-7425.