Legal and illegal

[Guest]

[ Rights to a child.
We live in Georgia, I am a father of one beautiful little girl. Whom I have raised since birth. Been there for her since her first heart beat, I provide food, clothes, shelter, support, Consistent love and education, preparation for life, affirmation, medicine when under the weather, faith, most of all God's love. She is two years old. I signed the birth certificate. And has been to all her doctor visits. Where I go she goes.etc. was never married to the mother. I am not from the U.S. I would like to know what legal rights do I have towards my daughter? And does a step father have more rights than I have towards me child?

[Jim]

Apr 2, 2009 8:28:16 GMT -5 @Guest said:

[ Rights to a child.
We live in Georgia, I am a father of one beautiful little girl. Whom I have raised since birth. Been there for her since her first heart beat, I provide food, clothes, shelter, support, Consistent love and education, preparation for life, affirmation, medicine when under the weather, faith, most of all God's love. She is two years old. I signed the birth certificate. And has been to all her doctor visits. Where I go she goes.etc. was never married to the mother. I am not from the U.S. I would like to know what legal rights do I have towards my daughter? And does a step father have more rights than I have towards me child?

Are you a legal citizen of the US?

I am also a Georgia citizen and I know for a fact signing a birth certificate in Georgia is absolutely worthless when it comes to parental rights in this state.

You must go through the legitimation process in GA to gain parental rights when you have a child out of wedlock, I have been through this. See more about this in the GA Forum Section at the bottom of the main board.

The step-father does not have any legal rights unless there is a court order in place such as an adoption or legal guardianship.

Its great to hear what you are doing as a father and your child is blessed to have such an involved father considering the circumstances.

My suggestion would be to go through the legitimation process asap. If the mother consents it will be no big trial or ordeal. They will set you up with child support so you need to be prepared for that also. A birth certificate gives you no legal rights whatsoever in GA.