AN INCREASING number of Jamaican fathers are coming forward to have their names added to their children's birth certificates, according to the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).
A release from the Registrar-General's Department (RGD) said there has been a steady increase in the number of such additions during the past four years.
In 1999, it said, a total of 8,628 fathers had their information included on their children's birth record, and in 2002, that number increased to 11,821. Up to May, this year, 1,066 fathers had added their particulars to their children's birth certificates.
However, the release said there was still a significant number of fathers who have failed to add their particulars. In 2001, of a total 48,065 births, 39,503 children were born out of wedlock with only 16,791 registrations having the father's particulars being included on the registration. The percentage of fathers who accepted paternity in 2001 was 34.93.
According to the release, information on fathers have not been included on some birth records because, among other reasons, the man may not be present at the time the child is being registered and the law prohibits the father's name being put on the birth record without his consent.
