Job Discussion Forums

[tonyjones01]

I'm trying to help out someone and need information on getting the foreign father's name on the birth certificate. They are not married. I've researched and found some info but would like to hear from someone who has, or know of someone whose done this.

Sorry I haven't gone in more detail but I was just asked to help and I'm working with little time, just wanted to get this out there asap to see if someone has done something like this before.

Thanks!

[toiyeuthitmeo]

I'm aware of a situation almost like this. In the case I was close to, the couple were married in Vietnam, and when their child was old enough, he wanted to take the boy for a visit to grandmother back home, and in the process of trying to get a visa, found out about his name not being on the birth certificate.

To get his name on the boy's birth certificate, he was put on a goose-chase that involved trips to the hospital of the birth to seek out documents, which didn't work. Then he was told it took a special request accompanied with a rather large "fee" paid to the local authorities. When this did not work, he was told he had to go to his wife's home village (quite far away) and pay some "fees" up there. One major "fee" was to convince them that they were indeed married. Another "fee" to convince them that he was indeed the father, and another "fee" to get the actual documents signed, stamped, and processed. He eventually succeeded, with an understandably massive amount of bitterness over the whole process.

From his story I'd reckon the best way to go about this is to sidestep as much of the process as you can, pay for your own paternity test and have it notarized or authenticated (and make sure the test results are in Vietnamese and clearly state the foreign parent's name), then head to the mother's hometown / home ward / home village, and deal with the authorities there. Bring plenty of dong! They're not going to be happy at all about the unmarried status. Reckon that will rack up another "fee."

Good luck!

[tonyjones01]

Many thanks toiyeuthitmeo!

He ended up calling 'touts' that work outside the government offices. From what I heard he needs to show proof that he was in the country around the time of conception and that he had had an ongoing relationship with the mother.

The tout will be going with him tomorrow to help with the paperwork. If the gov. officials believe that he is the father, by viewing whatever "proof" he and the mother brings, then they will issue a birth cert. with his name. If they don't believe or have doubts, then, they will do a paternity test.

Cost:
Tout $75
Gov. Free $50
Test (if need) $150 - $200

All in all, not bad for Viet Nam. I think this is a little more simple then your friend because the girl has yet to do any paperwork for the baby. She has only the paper given to her when she left the hospital. He has yet to file the info for baby name, mother, father...whatever that is called.

Hope this helps someone in the future. I learned a little something today