Will I Be Legally Responsible For a Baby if My Pregnant Partner is Not Married to Me?

If your partner becomes pregnant and you aren’t married, you’re probably wondering if you have legal rights and responsibilities. It’s critical that you know the paternity laws in your state. In Missouri, it’s vital to determine paternity to establish the legal relationship between a father and his child, particularly if you are unmarried.

We offer advice and support for men whose partners are facing an unexpected pregnancy. Read further to learn more.

What Does “Paternity” Mean?

Paternity means “fatherhood,” but your status as the legal father of a child depends on whether you are married or not. If you and your partner are unmarried, you must establish paternity to have legal rights.

How Is Paternity Established?

If you wish to be recognized as the father of your child, you can do one of the following:

• Both you and your partner sign an Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity in the hospital at the time of your child’s birth. Voluntary acknowledgment means you are freely admitting that you are the biological father of the child.
• File a Declaration of Paternity with the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records.
• File suit to establish paternity with the court, which usually involves genetic testing.

Why Is Establishing Paternity Important?

There are many reasons why establishing paternity is critical for you, your partner, and your child. Here are a few:

• Fathers are crucial to a child’s emotional and physical development. Studies prove that children raised by both a father and mother are more likely to go to college, less likely to spend time in jail, and less likely to experience teen pregnancy.
• Knowing a father gives a child a sense of identity. The father’s name is on the birth certificate, which indicates he is taking responsibility for his child.
• Federal and state laws require both parents to support their children. Children supported by a single parent often live below the poverty line.

Navigating Child Support

If you and your partner are together, you will naturally want to help cover the financial costs of raising your baby. If you are no longer together, you or the mother can ask the Missouri Family Support Division (FSD)–Child Support (CS) for assistance. FSD-CS or the court may enter an order establishing paternity.

Missouri law requires both parents to provide financial and medical support. State law sets the amount of support based on the child’s needs and both parents’ income and ability to pay.

How Can Liberty Women’s Clinic Assist Me?

Establishing paternity requires professional legal advice, which we cannot provide. We encourage you to seek legal counsel if you have specific questions.

Liberty Women’s Clinic can provide you and your partner with free, confidential pregnancy services. You can also meet with a nurse at our clinic for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your options and available resources.

Contact us about an appointment today. We are here for both of you. 

This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional counseling and/or medical advice.