Legal Advice for Pregnant American in Paris

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Hi,

No need for a lawyer, the case is already planned for a long time. Your French companion must make an early recognition of the child to be born near the town hall where he lives.

Recognition of paternity is a voluntary act that establishes parentage between father and child, before or after birth.

Unlike the declaration of birth of the child, established at the town hall of the place of birth in the 3 days following the birth, which is obligatory, the recognition is a voluntary step of the father. "For an unmarried couple, filiation must be established with respect to the father and the mother. For the mother, it is enough that her name appears in the birth certificate, the filiation is then automatic. To establish paternity, the father must, for his part, recognize his child before or after birth. "

Recognize your child before or after birth
Throughout the pregnancy, the future dad can already recognize the baby to be born and this, in any town hall. To do this, he must present his identity card and make his declaration to the civil status. The day of the declaration of birth, he will have to think to present a copy of the act in town hall! But, generally, fathers recognize their child at the time of mandatory birth registration, within 3 days of birth. "It is an important act for the father, because he establishes the filiation with regard to the child with rights, such as to see him and to participate in his education, and obligations, such as to provide for his children. food needs ". The father can also recognize the child after the birth, at any time, on presentation of his identity card in the town hall of his choice. However, once the child is 1 year old or older, the father will not have the exercise of parental authority. However, he or she may make a joint declaration to exercise it with the mother, or refer the matter to the Family Affairs Judge.

And regarding your visa, the case will be automatically settled. Because as soon as the father of French nationality recognizes the child. The child becomes French. And since the law does not allow the mother of her baby to be separated for no serious reason, you will obtain the right of residence.

Thank you so much for your thorough reply! We still aren't sure if my boyfriend can recognize the baby before I am six months along (which is soon!) but regardless we can probably just go ask at the city office together this week rather than getting a lawyer after all. We just want to make sure we do everything correctly before she arrives in January. Again, thank you for the kind and thoughtful answer! Have a great day!