When and how to do an early reconnaissance?

There early recognition is an administrative procedure that concerns parents as the arrival of a child approaches. In general, as the name suggests, future parents proceed to the recognition of their child before birth, but it can very well be done after the birth of the child. Why and in which cases do an early reconnaissance? What are the steps to take? We guide you!

What is advance recognition for?

Advance recognition makes it possible to establish the bond of filiation of a parent towards his child. The woman giving birth is automatically recognized as the child’s mother at birth, on the birth certificate given at the maternity ward, except in the case of childbirth under X, for example. Thus, the name of the mother which appears on the birth certificate makes it possible to establish the bond of maternal filiation. This is not the case with the father, who must mandatory acknowledgment of paternity.

Who can do an early reconnaissance?

The mother and the father can make an early recognition of their child. They have the option of doing it jointly or separately. A single mother can do early recognition.

Can we do an early recognition in PMA?

Couples of women, married, PACS or common-law, who are in PMA course can also take the step, we then speak of joint advance recognition.

A couple of women who wish to make an early recognition of their child must go at a notary. The process is chargeable (75.46 euros excluding tax). It is carried out at the same time as the signing of the consent to the donation of gametes.

The act of recognition must then be given to a civil status officer at the town hall. when the child’s birth is declared. The latter will verify the identity of the two mothers and verify that the act of recognition has indeed been made before a notary.

From when to do an early reconnaissance?

Advance recognition can be made as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed, but also when the child’s birth is declared, and even years later, regardless of the child’s age.

• Before the birth of the child. If the couple (mother and father) simply cohabits or is in a PACS, the father can recognize the child even before it is born.
• The day of the declaration of birth. The father can recognize his child at the maternity ward when the birth is declared if the couple lives under the same roof.
• Years after the declaration of birth. A father has no time limit to recognize his child.

How to do an early recognition?

The steps to recognizing a child change somewhat depending on when you start the process.

Advance recognition before the birth of the child

Before the birth of the child, to make an advance recognition of paternity or maternity, the parent must go in any town hall on French territory and present proof of identity and recent proof of residence to a civil registrar (less than 3 months). The civil registrar will take care of completing the acknowledgment certificate and then he will have you sign it. A copy of the act of early recognition is given to the parents. It will be presented when declaring the birth.

At the time of the declaration of birth

Its recognition will then be notified both on thebirth certificate than in the family book. If the couple is married, it will suffice to make the declaration of birth within three working days. More and more often, this act is done at the maternity ward, which will take care of transmitting them to the town hall. The dad can also do it later at the town hall by bringing the birth certificate extract or the family record book. It will then be mentioned in the margin of the child’s birth certificate and the family record book.

What is late recognition?

Be careful, however, that the little one has not been recognized or adopted by someone else. In this case, the process will be more complicated and it will first be necessary to contest the parentage and provide evidence. This late recognition may be noted in the margin of the birth certificate. On the other hand, there is a time limit to acquire parental authority.

Can we do early recognition for a child born under X?

Birth under X still poses some problems. Both for mothers and fathers who are not always aware of the birth of their child. The mother can recognize her child for two months after delivery. Thus, she will be able to regain custody of her child (under certain conditions). The father benefits from the same reflection period. It is still necessary that he be aware of the place and day of the birth of his child. In this situation, he can appeal to the Prosecutor who will take care of finding his information so that he can make himself known.

Can a mother compel the father to recognize the child?

A mother can initiate a paternity search with the prosecutor. A paternity test (DNA) can then be recommended by a judge. The supposed father may object to this, but that leaves some doubt. The judge will then assess with the evidence in the file. If his paternity is recognized by the judge, the father will have to pay a pension. In return, he may possibly request a right of visit and accommodation.

In addition, the mother and/or the child (up to two years after coming of age) can also appeal to the action for the purposes of subsidies. Completely independent of the search for paternity, it makes it possible to request a pension without the bond of filiation being created.

Can a father recognize his child without the consent of the mother?

The mother sometimes objects to the fact that the father recognizes her child. What are the father’s remedies? In this case, it is better to do the recognition before birth. The father can go to the town hall with his identity card and the information concerning the future mother. If the mother disputes the parentage later, the father must then appeal to the prosecutor to start a paternity recognition action.