Child Support application query

I think for my own peace of mind I would like to have paternity test to confirm that the child is definitely mine. I have at this moment doubts as my ex partner failed to notify me of pregnancy, the birth, name of child and also was unsure of when she became pregnant when I did find out.

Once this is confirmed I can move forward with the maintenance claim but also importantly try to gain access to the child.

Have a read of this, it may help!

www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/...lasset/dg_198851.pdf

If you dispute being named as the father and no agreement can be reached between you and the mother the CSA carry out an assessment. You then have to pay child support until you prove you aren''t the father.

It is possible to register the birth of the child without both patents present if the couple are married. I know cos I did this with our third child who was born post-separation.

You need to do some homework and fast. You will only get one chance to do a paternity test with the CSA. This chance happens now, right as the case is opened. You will need to complete the paperwork within their timescales. Or no test. And as a further word of warning, my ex failed to complete the paperwork and later failed to get a judge to order a test in court. His only chanve now is to get me to do it privately. Still waiting for him to ask - said child is 4 next week. Not that he''s paid maintenance but that''s a long story and will only work for you if self employed!!!!

Thank you all for your helpful comments.

I have just got off the phone to the CSA and they have agreed send over another postal application.

In terms of completing the form - I dont have information on the child such as name etc as I''ve mentioned previously. I''d be keen to get advice from wikis on whether it would be a good idea to make contact with my ex partner and get all the necessary details from here ... or should I leave these sections blank?

Are you on speaking terms with your ex partner? If so ring her and explain you need this information to put on the form - or maybe best to ring her either way. If she won''t give you any information - which would be a little strange leave the form blank and send a covering letter with the form Explaining why. I would get a copy of the birth certificate - these can be ordered on line I think they''re about £10?
Good Luck hope you get sorted.

Thank you - no I am not on speaking terms with her however I have no issue in making contact and asking for the details, I''d like to think she''d give the details but not sure as I wasn''t even notified of the birth. I assume I would only be able to order birth certificate after I have the details of the baby (ie name, dob etc) so will do that depending on how my initial conversation with her goes.

Thanks