In Louisiana, when a child is born to unmarried parents, the biological father does not automatically have legal rights or responsibilities. To gain legal recognition, the father must establish paternity—either by voluntarily signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity or through a court process. Establishing paternity is essential for securing parental rights such as custody, visitation, and child support, as well as ensuring the child has access to benefits like health insurance, inheritance, and social security. The Louisiana Paternity Establishment Program helps families complete this process efficiently and ensures both parents are legally recognized in the child’s life.