can a father just sign the birth certificate and take over rights
However, a legal relationship can be formed through the fatherâs signing of an Acknowledgement of Paternity form. Signing this form allows a father to add his name to the childâs birth certificate, thereby establishing a legal relationship. The childâs mother may also sign the Acknowledgement of Paternity form. When both parents sign the form, they swear together that they are the natural (birth) parents of the child.