Either way, it helps the doctors to know how to treat a child if they know the family medical history of both the mother and the father. The baby may be able to get money through a government program. In some cases the baby may be eligible for Social Security, veteran's benefits, health care, or other benefits through the government. The father may be able to provide health insurance or other benefits for the baby. Courts cannot order a parent to pay child support without legal proof of paternity.
Paternity means fatherhood.
When both parents sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity, the father becomes the legal father. Once paternity has been established, he can be ordered to pay child support and the court can grant him the right to visit his child. Paternity should be acknowledged at the time of birth for two main reasons. First, this is the most convenient time. Everything is together in one place.