I. Introduction

In the Philippines, the father’s name may be absent from a child’s birth certificate for many reasons. The parents may not have been married at the time of birth, the father may not have been available to sign the birth record, the mother may have registered the child alone, or the father’s identity may not yet have been legally acknowledged.

Adding the father’s name to a Philippine birth certificate is not always a simple clerical correction. The proper remedy depends on the child’s status, the parents’ marital relationship, whether the father admits paternity, whether the child was already registered, and whether the change will affect the child’s legitimacy, surname, filiation, or civil status.

In Philippine law, the issue is closely connected with filiation, legitimacy, recognition of an illegitimate child, use of the father’s surname, civil registry correction procedures, and, in some cases, court proceedings.

II. Key Legal Concepts

A. Birth Certificate

A birth certificate is the civil registry record of a person’s birth. It usually contains the child’s name, sex, date and place of birth, parents’ names, parents’ citizenship, parents’ religion, date and place of marriage of parents if any, and other identifying details.

It is an official public record. Because it affects identity, nationality, succession, parental authority, school enrollment, passport applications, benefits, and inheritance, changes to it are regulated.

B. Filiation

Filiation is the legal relationship between parent and child.

A child may be:

Legitimate, if conceived or born during a valid marriage of the parents, subject to legal rules; or
Illegitimate, if conceived and born outside a valid marriage, unless otherwise provided by law.

Adding a father’s name to a birth certificate may be evidence of filiation, but the legal effect depends on how the father’s name is added and whether paternity is properly acknowledged or judicially established.

C. Recognition or Acknowledgment

Recognition is the act by which a father admits that a child is his. For an illegitimate child, the father’s name generally cannot simply be inserted into the birth certificate without his participation, unless there is a proper legal basis.

Recognition may be made through:

The father’s signature in the birth certificate;
An affidavit of admission of paternity;
A public document;
A private handwritten instrument signed by the father;
A final court judgment establishing paternity.

D. Legitimate vs. Illegitimate Children

The process differs significantly depending on whether the child is legitimate or illegitimate.

If the parents were validly married at the time relevant under the law, the father’s name may be entered because the child is presumed legitimate.

If the parents were not married, the child is generally illegitimate, and the father’s name may be entered only through proper acknowledgment, admission of paternity, or judicial declaration.

III. Common Situations

A. Parents Were Married, but the Father’s Name Was Omitted

If the parents were married before the child’s birth and the father’s name was omitted from the birth certificate, the correction may involve supplying an omitted entry in the civil registry.

The Local Civil Registrar may require proof such as:

Parents’ marriage certificate;
Child’s certificate of live birth;
Valid IDs of the parents;
Affidavit explaining the omission;
Other supporting documents showing the father’s identity.

Depending on the circumstances, this may be treated as an administrative correction or may require a court order, especially if the correction is considered substantial.

B. Parents Were Not Married, and the Father Wants to Acknowledge the Child

This is the most common case. If the child was born outside marriage and the father’s name is blank, the father may acknowledge the child through proper documents.

Usually, this involves:

An Affidavit of Admission of Paternity or Acknowledgment;
An Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father, if the child will use the father’s surname;
Valid IDs of the parents;
The child’s birth certificate;
Submission to the Local Civil Registrar where the birth was registered.

If the child is already registered with the mother’s surname, the father’s acknowledgment may allow annotation of the birth certificate and, where legally permitted, use of the father’s surname.

C. Father Is Abroad

If the father is abroad and wishes to acknowledge the child, he may execute the necessary affidavit before a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, or before a foreign notary with proper authentication or apostille, depending on the country.

The document usually must clearly state that he admits paternity of the child and, if applicable, allows the child to use his surname.

The Local Civil Registrar and the Philippine Statistics Authority may require properly authenticated documents before annotation.

D. Father Refuses to Acknowledge the Child

If the alleged father refuses to acknowledge the child, the father’s name cannot simply be added administratively.

The remedy may be a court action to establish paternity or filiation. Evidence may include:

DNA evidence;
Written communications;
Documents showing admission of paternity;
Support records;
Photographs and family treatment;
Testimony;
Other relevant evidence.

If the court declares paternity, the judgment may be used to annotate or correct the birth certificate.

E. Father Is Deceased

If the father is deceased and did not acknowledge the child during his lifetime, adding his name may be difficult and may require judicial proceedings.

Possible evidence includes:

A public document signed by the father admitting paternity;
A private handwritten instrument signed by him;
Records showing continuous possession of status as his child;
DNA testing involving relatives, where admissible;
Estate records or support documents;
Other evidence recognized by law.

If paternity is disputed, a court case is usually necessary.

F. Father’s Name Was Written Incorrectly

If the father’s name is already on the birth certificate but contains errors, the remedy may depend on the type of error.

Examples:

Misspelled first name;
Wrong middle name;
Wrong surname;
Incorrect citizenship;
Incorrect age;
Incorrect birthplace;
Incorrect date of marriage of parents.

Minor clerical or typographical mistakes may be corrected administratively. Substantial changes, such as replacing one father with another, usually require a court proceeding.

G. Wrong Man Was Listed as Father

If the birth certificate names the wrong father, the correction is usually substantial. It may affect filiation, legitimacy, surname, parental authority, support, and inheritance.

This generally requires a judicial proceeding, not a simple administrative correction.

IV. Administrative Remedies

Philippine law allows certain corrections in civil registry entries to be made administratively through the Local Civil Registrar, without going to court. However, not every change can be made administratively.

A. Clerical or Typographical Errors

A clerical or typographical error is a harmless error caused by mistake in writing, copying, transcribing, or typing, which is visible to the eyes or obvious to the understanding and can be corrected by reference to other existing records.

Examples may include:

“Juan” typed as “Juna”;
A missing letter in the father’s name;
A typographical error in the father’s middle initial;
Obvious encoding mistakes.

These may be corrected administratively if they do not affect nationality, age, status, or filiation in a substantial way.

B. Supplemental Report

If the father’s name or other data was omitted at the time of registration, the Local Civil Registrar may sometimes allow a supplemental report.

A supplemental report is used to supply information that was omitted in the civil registry record, provided the omission is not legally controversial and is supported by documents.

However, where the omitted father’s name would establish paternity of an illegitimate child, the civil registrar will normally require the father’s acknowledgment or a court order.

C. Annotation for Acknowledgment of Paternity

For an illegitimate child, the father’s acknowledgment is commonly entered through annotation of the birth certificate.

The annotation may state that the father admitted paternity through a specific affidavit or instrument. The father’s name may then appear in the annotated record, depending on the procedure used by the civil registry.

D. Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father

Where an illegitimate child is acknowledged by the father, the child may be allowed to use the father’s surname. This does not automatically make the child legitimate. It only allows the use of the father’s surname if legal requirements are met.

The document commonly required is called an Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father.

If the child is a minor, the mother or guardian may participate. If the child is of age, the child’s consent may be required.

V. Judicial Remedies

Court action may be necessary when the requested change is substantial, disputed, or affects civil status or filiation.

A. Petition for Correction or Cancellation of Entry

A judicial petition may be required when the requested correction involves:

Changing the father from blank to a named person without voluntary acknowledgment;
Replacing the listed father with another person;
Declaring paternity;
Changing legitimacy or illegitimacy;
Correcting entries that affect civil status;
Resolving conflicting claims;
Correcting entries opposed by interested parties.

The petition is usually filed in the Regional Trial Court with jurisdiction over the civil registry where the record is kept or where the petitioner resides, depending on the applicable rules.

B. Action to Establish Filiation

A child may bring an action to establish filiation. The available period, evidence, and legal standards depend on whether the child is legitimate or illegitimate and on the evidence available.

For illegitimate children, filiation may be established in the same way and on the same evidence as legitimate children, subject to distinctions under law.

Evidence may include:

Record of birth appearing in the civil register or a final judgment;
Admission of legitimate or illegitimate filiation in a public document;
Admission in a private handwritten instrument signed by the parent;
Open and continuous possession of the status of a child;
Any other means allowed by the Rules of Court and special laws.

C. DNA Evidence

DNA evidence may be used in paternity disputes. Courts may consider DNA testing where paternity is genuinely at issue and where the test is relevant, reliable, and properly obtained.

DNA evidence is especially important where there is no written acknowledgment by the father.

However, DNA testing alone may not automatically amend a birth certificate. A court order or proper administrative proceeding is still needed to change the civil registry record.

VI. Requirements When the Father Voluntarily Acknowledges the Child

The exact requirements may vary by Local Civil Registrar, but commonly include:

Certified true copy of the child’s certificate of live birth;
Affidavit of Admission of Paternity or Acknowledgment;
Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father, if applicable;
Valid government IDs of the father and mother;
Personal appearance of the father, when required;
Consent of the child, if of legal age;
Consent of the mother or guardian, if required for a minor child;
Proof of the father’s identity;
Community tax certificate or other identification details, where applicable;
Payment of filing or annotation fees;
Authentication or apostille if the acknowledgment was executed abroad.

The civil registrar may also require the father to sign the appropriate portion of the certificate of live birth or execute a separate instrument of acknowledgment.

VII. Requirements When the Parents Are Married

If the parents were married and the father’s name was omitted, common requirements may include:

PSA copy of the child’s birth certificate;
PSA copy of the parents’ marriage certificate;
Valid IDs of both parents;
Affidavit of discrepancy or omission;
Baptismal certificate, school records, medical records, or other documents showing the father’s name;
Civil registrar forms;
Payment of fees.

Where the child’s legitimacy is clear and uncontested, administrative correction may be possible. If the correction will involve complex or disputed facts, the civil registrar may require a court order.

VIII. Requirements When the Father Is Abroad

When the father is outside the Philippines, he may execute the acknowledgment before:

A Philippine Embassy or Consulate;
A notary public in the foreign country, followed by apostille if the country is an Apostille Convention country;
A notary public in the foreign country, followed by consular authentication if apostille is not available or not accepted.

The document should clearly identify:

The father;
The child;
The mother;
The child’s date and place of birth;
The father’s admission of paternity;
Consent to use the father’s surname, if applicable;
The father’s signature;
Identification documents.

The Local Civil Registrar may require original documents or certified copies.

IX. Using the Father’s Surname

Adding the father’s name and using the father’s surname are related but distinct.

A. Acknowledgment Does Not Automatically Change Surname in All Cases

An illegitimate child generally uses the mother’s surname, but may use the father’s surname if the father has expressly recognized the child and the requirements are met.

The child’s birth certificate may be annotated to reflect the acknowledgment and the authority to use the father’s surname.

B. Effect on Legitimacy

Using the father’s surname does not make an illegitimate child legitimate. Legitimacy depends on the marital status of the parents and other legal rules, not merely on surname.

Thus, an illegitimate child acknowledged by the father may use the father’s surname but remains illegitimate unless legitimated or otherwise declared legitimate by law.

C. Consent Issues

If the child is a minor, the mother or guardian may be involved. If the child has reached the age of majority, the child’s consent may be required before using the father’s surname.

This is because the name belongs to the child and may affect identity, official records, and personal rights.

X. Legitimation

Legitimation is different from simple acknowledgment.

A child may be legitimated when the parents, who were not married at the time of the child’s birth, later marry each other and were not legally disqualified from marrying each other at the time of conception or birth, subject to legal requirements.

If legitimation applies, the child becomes legitimate, and the birth certificate may be annotated accordingly.

Requirements commonly include:

Birth certificate of the child;
Marriage certificate of the parents;
Affidavit of legitimation;
Proof that the parents were not legally disqualified from marrying at the time of conception or birth;
Valid IDs;
Civil registrar forms;
Payment of fees.

Legitimation affects more than the father’s name. It changes the child’s civil status and may affect surname, parental authority, support, and inheritance rights.

XI. Late Registration of Birth

If the child’s birth was never registered, the father’s name may be included at the time of late registration if legally proper.

A. If Parents Are Married

The father’s name may generally be included, supported by the marriage certificate and other documents.

B. If Parents Are Not Married

The father’s name may be included only if the father acknowledges the child, usually by signing the certificate of live birth or executing an affidavit of acknowledgment.

Late registration commonly requires:

Negative certification or proof that no birth record exists;
Affidavit for delayed registration;
Birth or baptismal certificate, if any;
School records, medical records, or immunization records;
Marriage certificate of parents, if married;
Affidavit of acknowledgment by father, if unmarried;
Valid IDs;
Personal appearance and witnesses, where required.

XII. If the Mother Is Married to Someone Else

A particularly sensitive situation arises when the mother was married to one man, but another man is alleged to be the biological father.

Under Philippine law, a child conceived or born during a valid marriage is generally presumed legitimate. The husband is presumed to be the father, subject to legally recognized grounds for impugning legitimacy.

In such cases, the biological father’s name cannot simply be added administratively. A court proceeding may be required to address legitimacy, paternity, and the birth certificate entries.

This situation can involve complex issues such as:

Presumption of legitimacy;
Impugning legitimacy;
Rights of the husband;
Rights of the child;
Rights of the alleged biological father;
Time limits for challenging legitimacy;
Public policy favoring legitimacy;
DNA evidence;
Corrections in the civil registry.

Administrative correction is usually inappropriate where it would contradict the presumption of legitimacy.

XIII. If the Father Is a Foreigner

If the father is a foreign national, his name may be added if he properly acknowledges the child or if paternity is judicially established.

Additional documents may be required, such as:

Passport copy;
Foreign identification card;
Proof of citizenship;
Acknowledgment affidavit;
Apostilled or consularized documents if executed abroad;
Translation if documents are not in English or Filipino.

If the father is abroad, the same authentication rules generally apply.

The father’s foreign citizenship may also affect the child’s potential citizenship claims under the foreign country’s law, but Philippine civil registry annotation does not by itself guarantee foreign citizenship.

XIV. If the Father Is a Minor

If the father was a minor at the time of acknowledgment, special issues may arise. The civil registrar may require the participation of the father’s parents or guardian, depending on the facts and applicable regulations.

The acknowledgment of paternity is a serious legal act. If there is doubt about capacity, the matter may require legal advice or court involvement.

XV. If the Child Is Already an Adult

An adult child may seek annotation of the father’s acknowledgment or judicial establishment of paternity.

If the father voluntarily acknowledges the adult child, the child’s consent is important, especially if the child will use the father’s surname.

If the father refuses or is deceased, the adult child may need to examine whether an action to establish filiation is still available and what evidence exists.

XVI. Effect of Adding the Father’s Name

Adding the father’s name may have several consequences.

A. Identity

The birth certificate will reflect the father-child relationship or the father’s acknowledgment, depending on the annotation.

B. Surname

The child may be able to use the father’s surname if the legal requirements are satisfied.

C. Support

Acknowledgment of paternity may support a claim for child support.

D. Parental Authority

The effect on parental authority depends on the child’s status. For illegitimate children, parental authority generally belongs to the mother, even if the father acknowledges the child, subject to specific legal rules and court orders.

E. Inheritance

Recognition or judicial establishment of filiation may affect succession rights. An acknowledged illegitimate child has inheritance rights under Philippine law, although different from those of legitimate children.

F. Benefits and Records

The corrected or annotated birth certificate may be used for school, passport, visa, insurance, employment, government benefits, and other official records.

XVII. What Cannot Be Done by Affidavit Alone

An affidavit alone generally cannot:

Replace one father with another in a birth certificate;
Override the presumption that the mother’s husband is the father;
Establish paternity against a man who denies it;
Change the child’s legitimacy status where facts are disputed;
Correct substantial errors affecting civil status;
Evade court proceedings where the correction is controversial;
Create filiation without the father’s valid acknowledgment or a court judgment.

XVIII. Step-by-Step Guide: If the Father Voluntarily Acknowledges the Child

Step 1: Secure the Child’s PSA Birth Certificate

Obtain the latest PSA copy to confirm the existing entries and whether the father’s information is blank, incomplete, or erroneous.

Step 2: Determine the Child’s Status

Check whether the parents were married at the time relevant under the law. This determines whether the child is legitimate, illegitimate, or possibly legitimated.

Step 3: Prepare the Father’s Acknowledgment

The father should execute an affidavit admitting paternity. If the child will use his surname, prepare the required affidavit for use of surname.

Step 4: Secure Supporting Documents

Prepare IDs, marriage documents if any, proof of relationship, and other documents required by the Local Civil Registrar.

Step 5: File with the Local Civil Registrar

Submit the documents to the Local Civil Registrar where the birth was registered.

Step 6: Pay Fees and Comply with Requirements

The registrar may require personal appearance, verification, or additional documents.

Step 7: Wait for Annotation and Endorsement

The Local Civil Registrar forwards the annotated record or supporting documents to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Step 8: Request the Updated PSA Copy

After processing, request a new PSA copy showing the annotation.

XIX. Step-by-Step Guide: If the Father Does Not Voluntarily Acknowledge

Step 1: Gather Evidence

Collect documents, communications, support records, photographs, witness statements, and any written admission.

Step 2: Consult Counsel

A court action may be necessary. The correct case depends on whether the goal is to establish filiation, correct the birth certificate, claim support, or assert inheritance rights.

Step 3: File the Proper Court Case

The petition or complaint should allege the facts establishing paternity and explain why the birth certificate should be corrected or annotated.

Step 4: Present Evidence

Evidence may include DNA testing, documents, testimony, and other proof of filiation.

Step 5: Obtain Final Court Order

Once final, the court order may be registered with the civil registrar.

Step 6: Annotate the Birth Certificate

The civil registrar and PSA process the annotation based on the final judgment.

XX. Common Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: The Local Civil Registrar Refuses to Add the Father’s Name

Possible reasons:

Lack of father’s acknowledgment;
Missing documents;
Doubt about legitimacy;
Mother is married to another man;
Father is deceased;
Correction is substantial;
Documents are not authenticated.

Possible solution: supply missing documents, obtain proper acknowledgment, or file the necessary court case.

Problem 2: The Father Signed an Affidavit but the PSA Copy Is Still Unchanged

Civil registry changes often appear as annotations and may take time to reflect in PSA records. Follow up with the Local Civil Registrar and PSA. Confirm whether the documents were endorsed to PSA.

Problem 3: The Father’s Name Appears Locally but Not in the PSA Record

The Local Civil Registrar may have annotated the local record but not yet transmitted it, or PSA may still be processing it. Request certified copies from the Local Civil Registrar and follow up on the endorsement.

Problem 4: The Father Is Willing but Cannot Come to the Philippines

He may execute the required documents abroad with proper authentication, such as through a Philippine consulate or apostille process.

Problem 5: The Father Is Dead but Everyone Knows He Was the Father

Knowledge by relatives is not always enough. A written acknowledgment or court action may be required. Evidence must satisfy legal standards.

Problem 6: The Child Wants the Father’s Surname but the Father Did Not Acknowledge

The child generally cannot use the father’s surname without acknowledgment or judicial establishment of paternity.

Problem 7: The Child Is Legitimate but the Father’s Name Is Blank

Submit the parents’ marriage certificate and supporting documents to the Local Civil Registrar. If the registrar treats the omission as substantial, a court order may be required.

XXI. Difference Between Adding Father’s Name, Changing Surname, and Legitimation

These are often confused.

A. Adding the Father’s Name

This records or annotates the father’s identity or acknowledgment in the birth record.

B. Changing or Using the Father’s Surname

This allows the child to use the father’s surname if legally permitted.

C. Legitimation

This changes the child’s status from illegitimate to legitimate after the parents’ subsequent valid marriage, provided legal requirements are met.

A child may be acknowledged without being legitimated. A child may use the father’s surname without becoming legitimate. A legitimated child usually acquires the rights of a legitimate child.

XXII. Evidentiary Value of a Birth Certificate

A birth certificate is strong evidence of the facts stated in it, but not every entry has the same legal weight.

If the father signed the birth certificate or acknowledged the child in a recognized instrument, it may be evidence of filiation.

If the father’s name was merely supplied by the mother without the father’s participation, it may not be sufficient proof of paternity against the alleged father.

Thus, the manner by which the father’s name appears in the record matters.

XXIII. Rights of the Child

The child has the right to identity, support, and, where legally established, inheritance from the father.

However, the law also protects the integrity of civil registry records. Therefore, changes must follow the proper procedure.

The child’s interests are usually central in court proceedings involving filiation, surname, support, and legitimacy.

XXIV. Rights and Obligations of the Father

A father who acknowledges a child may assume legal consequences, including:

Recognition of filiation;
Possible support obligations;
Successional consequences;
Possible use of his surname by the child;
Moral and legal responsibilities.

Acknowledgment should not be treated as a casual document. It has lasting legal effects.

XXV. Role of the Mother

The mother often initiates the correction or annotation, especially if the child is a minor. Her participation may be required in administrative filings.

For illegitimate children, the mother generally has parental authority. However, adding the father’s name may still affect support, surname, inheritance, and official identity.

XXVI. Role of the Local Civil Registrar and PSA

A. Local Civil Registrar

The Local Civil Registrar keeps the local civil registry record and receives petitions, affidavits, and supporting documents. It may annotate records and endorse documents to PSA.

B. Philippine Statistics Authority

The PSA maintains the national civil registry database and issues PSA-certified copies. After local annotation, PSA records may need time before the changes appear in issued copies.

A person should usually coordinate with both the Local Civil Registrar and PSA.

XXVII. Practical Checklist

Before proceeding, determine the following:

Is the child’s birth already registered?
Is the father’s name blank, incomplete, misspelled, or wrong?
Were the parents married?
If unmarried, is the father willing to acknowledge the child?
Is the father alive?
Is the father in the Philippines or abroad?
Is the child a minor or adult?
Does the child want to use the father’s surname?
Is the mother married to someone else?
Are there disputes among the parties?
Are the documents complete and authenticated?
Is a court order necessary?

XXVIII. Sample Affidavit Concepts

The required wording may vary, but an affidavit of acknowledgment usually contains:

Full name, age, citizenship, civil status, and address of the father;
Statement identifying the child by name, date of birth, and place of birth;
Name of the mother;
Clear admission that the child is the father’s child;
Consent for the child to use the father’s surname, if applicable;
Statement that the affidavit is executed for civil registry purposes;
Signature of the father;
Notarial acknowledgment or consular acknowledgment.

An affidavit to use the surname of the father usually contains:

Identification of the child;
Identification of the father;
Reference to the father’s acknowledgment;
Consent or request to use the father’s surname;
Signature of the proper party;
Notarial acknowledgment.

XXIX. When to Go to Court Immediately

Court action should be considered when:

The father denies paternity;
The father is deceased and there is no clear written acknowledgment;
The mother was married to another man;
Another man is listed as father;
The civil registrar refuses administrative correction;
The correction affects legitimacy or civil status;
There is opposition from heirs or relatives;
The child seeks inheritance rights;
The father’s family disputes the relationship;
DNA testing is needed;
There are conflicting civil registry records.

XXX. Common Misconceptions

1. “The mother can simply write the father’s name.”

Not necessarily. For an illegitimate child, the father’s acknowledgment is generally required before his name can have legal effect.

2. “A DNA test automatically changes the birth certificate.”

No. DNA evidence may support a court case, but the civil registry record still needs proper administrative action or court order.

3. “Using the father’s surname makes the child legitimate.”

No. Surname use and legitimacy are different.

4. “If the father is abroad, nothing can be done.”

The father may execute documents abroad, subject to authentication requirements.

5. “If the father is dead, the birth certificate can no longer be changed.”

It may still be possible, but usually requires stronger evidence and may require court proceedings.

6. “A notarized affidavit is always enough.”

Not always. A notarized affidavit may be enough in some voluntary acknowledgment cases, but substantial or disputed changes may require court action.

XXXI. Practical Legal Effects

Adding the father’s name may affect:

The child’s legal identity;
Surname;
School and employment records;
Passport and travel documents;
Claims for support;
Medical and insurance benefits;
Succession and inheritance;
Parental records;
Government benefits;
Immigration or citizenship claims abroad.

Because of these consequences, the process must be handled carefully.

XXXII. Conclusion

Adding the father’s name to a Philippine birth certificate depends on the facts. If the parents are married and the omission is clear, the remedy may be administrative, supported by the marriage certificate and other documents. If the child is illegitimate and the father voluntarily acknowledges paternity, the birth certificate may usually be annotated through the Local Civil Registrar with the proper affidavits. If the father refuses, is deceased, is disputed, or if another man is listed as father, a court proceeding may be necessary.

The most important distinction is whether the correction is merely clerical or whether it affects filiation, legitimacy, surname, or civil status. Clerical errors may often be corrected administratively. Substantial matters involving paternity usually require acknowledgment by the father or a court judgment.

In practice, the safest approach is to first secure the child’s PSA birth certificate, determine the parents’ marital status, confirm whether the father is willing and able to acknowledge paternity, prepare the required affidavits and supporting documents, file them with the Local Civil Registrar, and follow through with PSA annotation. Where there is any dispute or legal complication, judicial proceedings may be required before the father’s name can be validly added.