The Bundestag has passed a law making it easier for biological fathers to assert their paternity legally. The reform implements a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court and lowers hurdles for unmarried fathers. The long fight of one father contributed to this success.
The Bundestag passed a law in the evening that strengthens the rights of biological fathers. This implements a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, which had demanded an effective procedure for biological fathers who are not married to the mother.
Previously, it was not possible to assert paternity if there was a social-familial relationship between the child and the legal father. The legal father bore responsibility without being the biological father. With the reform, the biological father can contest paternity if he has a close relationship with the child or if a previous relationship ended without his fault.
Additionally, a race for paternity is to be prevented: If the biological father has initiated proceedings to establish his paternity, no other man can acknowledge paternity until the decision.
The child's right to have a say is expanded: From 14 years old, it can prevent the mother from imposing another man as the legal father instead of the biological one.
The reform follows the long fight of one father, which had partial success, as reports indicate. It concerns family law and aims at better legal recognition of biological paternity.
