The Certificate of Parentage (COP) is a legal form parents complete to add the biological father's name to the child's birth certificate. By signing the form, parents are establishing paternity for their child ─ meaning legally recognized fatherhood.
If there are any doubts who the biological father of the child is, do not sign the COP. You may want to have genetic testing completed before you make your decision.
Tutorial video about Paternity to serve as a guide for new parents.
If the mother was not married at the time of birth or within 300 days of the birth, and both parties agree that they are the biological parents of the child, the Certificate of Parentage (COP) can be completed. Once completed, the COP is used to add the biological father to the child’s birth certificate.
In New Jersey, when the mother is married at the time of the child’s birth or conception, or any time in between, the law considers her husband to be the “presumed father”, even if he is not the biological father. If all three parties (mother, husband/ex-husband and child’s biological father) are in agreement, the husband/ex-husband and the mother can first complete the Affidavit of Denial of Paternity (AOD), which denies that the husband/ex-husband is the biological father of the child. Then, the mother and biological father can complete the Certificate of Parentage (COP) to establish paternity.
The COP and AOD can be completed at the birth facility, State Office of Vital Statistics and Registry in Trenton (in-person or by mail), a local registrar office, or a local child support office. If the COP and AOD are completed at the hospital, the biological father’s name will appear on the birth certificate. If they are done subsequently, the birth certificate must be amended as it would list the husband/ex-husband as the biological father. If you wish to amend the birth certificate, you MUST visit the registrar in the municipality in which the child was born or the State Office of Vital Statistics in Trenton. There will be additional forms and fees for amending your child’s birth record.
Since there are many unique circumstances to amending records, you should contact the State Office of Vital Statistics and Registry at 866-649-8726 (select option 4) if you have any questions after reviewing the detailed information about correcting a vital record and Vital Statistics-FAQs.
