Can a single military mother refuse to put the father's name on the birth certificate?

Question

I know that in the United States, a civilian woman has the right not to put the father on the birth certificate - but do the same rights apply to a single mother in the military? I have a friend in the military who is pregnant and unsure and doesn't want to go to chain of command just yet....

Answer 1

Of course she can leave it off. Now I'm sure that your friend has her reasons like just not wanting anything from the father or having anything to do w. him but I wonder.



I wonder if she has really thought this through. Being a single Mom in the military, while doable is going to be tough. And we all know what military pay amounts to. If the father is military it could actually be better career wise to name him as the father.



Regardless the day may come where a bit of child support could make a really big difference in the welfare and future of the child. Now she may just not want him to have any rights if she does this. But even if 10 years go by he could still come around and sue for them even if not on the certificate. It happens.



If named as the father she could tell the guy that she won't go for support as long as she never sees him again. Or get him to sign full and total custody over in exchange for not exercising the right for support AT THIS TIME. With that over his head he may never chose to come around in ten years.



So though I don't really know something vaguely itches at the back of my mind that just leaving him off could be troublesome later. She should really speak to JAG (especially if he is military) and explore the possibilities. If she is uncomfortable with JAG (some are just awesome and some are ho hum) she could talk to a civilian attorney.



My instinct is there will be no harm putting his name on the certificate. If she never sees him or he does not know what is the difference? If something happens later she could pul the "well you now owe me $1000 a month" card.



I'm also thinking that later, say 25 years from now, the kid may look up her father..... people have a burning desire to know their parents. So Mom finally explains that dad was a jerk, it was one night or whatnot. Dad explains that if he only knew (hes not on the certificate) he would have been a great Dad and been there in some way. If the name is on the certificate Mom can say that he chose to not be involved.



Pardon my ramble..... just something to think about.

Answer 2

The military does not control birth records, unless the birth occurs in a military hospital. Birth records are controlled by the state.



Now, if the mother is actually in the military herself, the UCMJ applies with regard to making false statements and other actions like interference with public records. But the bottom line is that if she has the birth in a non-military hospital, she can leave the name of the father blank if she chooses.



If she has the birth in a military hospital, different rules might apply. But she should check with JAG for an official military law opinion on that.

Answer 3

There are 2 distinct issues in your question. Naming the father has nothing to do with informing the chain of command that she is pregnant. I don't know about naming the father, but legally, she is obligated to inform her commander of the pregnancy. ANY medical condition that could affect her ability in COMBAT must be reported for the safety of the unit. Even if her job is not directly tied to combat, that is the nature of military service.

Answer 4

What is wrong with the military woman. Low morales and no discipline. Why are they not married. Hey, If I was in command and this incident came up Baby and one parent. You would be processed for discharge. I have no syspathy for a woman having children out of wed lock.



Let the man sign the certificate--Why??? when the child comes age and wants to know who his father is you can give him a copy of the Birth Certificate.



CASE CLOSED

Answer 5

Yes she can refuse and if she wants even give her child her last name! If she chooses to in the future to do a DNA test or name the father that can also be done and put on the birth record.

Answer 6

the 1st element could be if she plans to ask/take the daddy to court for new child help? if it is so, she desires to envision the state she plans to document in/with as some will require the daddy's call be on the certificates to start installation paternity. that's even truer if the daddy is defense force besides..on an identical time as he's defense force, any new child help would be taken immediately from his pay, in the previous he ever sees it and it will paintings lots smoother if the final names coincide. As for her reluctance, if she has had the sturdy being pregnant attempt , carried out by ability of a scientific facility, she desires to tell her command on the instant of her being pregnant. that's needed as her being pregnant could have an impact of her occupation feild (if she works with chemical components, heavy machinary or heavy actual workout) besides as her ability to establish. on account that deployment rosters are planned for a year in strengthen, she desires to tell her command now so that they are able to get rid of her from the roster and stumble on a alternative. that's additionally substantial if she is arising on a metamorphosis of station/computers circulate each time interior the subsequent 12 months. With being pregnant, they could desire to circulate her faster or postpone the circulate to time along with her due date and actual understanding to commute. finally, the chain of command is often the final place to circulate with any questions concerning defense force statues and rules. regulations exchange continuously and this is ultimate to circulate to somebody who would be attentive to all of it. I understand your buddy could have get in contact with somebody she do not have or if a place that she became no longer meant to. be attentive to that she isn't the 1st woman defense force member to have this ensue. she will ask her questions without revealing the id of the daddy, yet she will could desire to document her being pregnant no rely what. whether she does not, on account that she could be placed on a quickly profile, the command will nonetheless discover out. Being proactive will make issues much less demanding by ability of a ways.

Answer 7

Of course she refuse to can, I promise they won't send you to Guantanamo Bay and torture you to get the name out of you :D

Answer 8

pretty sure same rules apply, just because they own you doesn't mean the rules change.