Can A Father Sign The Birth Certificate Later in Texas?
- FlexLab Testing
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Yes — in Texas, a father can sign later, and this is very common. If a father does not sign the birth certificate at the hospital, Texas law allows paternity to be established afterward through a legal document called the Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP).
At FlexLab Testing, we help families navigate this process by offering DNA testing services and professional notary services, ensuring documents are completed accurately and properly notarized.
What Is the Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP)?
The Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) is a legal form used in Texas to establish a man as a child’s legal father when the parents are not married.
Once properly signed, notarized, and filed, the AOP has the same legal effect as a court order establishing paternity—without requiring a judge or court hearing, as long as both parents agree.
Who Must Sign the AOP?
To be valid, the AOP must be signed by:
The biological mother
The biological father
In some cases, an additional step is required:
If the mother was married at the time of birth, the husband may need to complete a Denial of Paternity (DOP) before another man can be legally recognized as the father.
All signatures must be:
Voluntary
Notarized
Properly filed with the state
No one can be forced to sign an AOP.
When Can the AOP Be Signed?
There is no deadline to sign an AOP in Texas.
The form can be completed:
At the hospital after birth (optional)
Weeks, months, or even years later
A father does not lose parental rights because he did not sign the birth certificate at the hospital. Legal rights begin once paternity is formally established.
Where Is the AOP Filed?
🔗 Texas Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP)
The AOP cannot be downloaded and signed independently like a regular PDF
It must be completed:
Through the Texas AOP online system, or
At a Certified AOP Entity
The form must be notarized and properly filed to be valid
Once accepted, the father’s name is added to the birth certificate.
Ready to sign? View the How to File an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) in Texas blog post
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