Paternity of a child

A child has the right to know both his/her parents and to know his/her origin. A mother is obliged to determine the paternity of her child within six months of its birth. If paternity has not been established within six months of the birth of the child, the District Commissioner shall send a challenge to the mother to establish paternity.

Rights of the child and the father

The legal effect of establishing paternity, among other things, is as following:

• A father may exercise custody over a child.

• A father and child have a right of mutual access.

• A father is obliged to support a child.

• Father and child inherit each other.

• A child may bear the name of the father as his surname.