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PETITION FOR LEGITIMATION AND CUSTODY/VISITATION COLUMBIA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Last Updated 1/6/2023 Page 1 of 7 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA , * PETITIONER, * * CASE NUMBER: v. * * , * RESPONDENT. * PETITION FOR LEGITIMATION AND CUSTODY/VISITATION My name is I am the Petitioner in this Petition for Legitimation and Custody/Visitation and I am representing myself. In support of my Petition and pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-7-22, I state the following: 1. The Respondent is named and is: [Check and complete ONLY ONE of the following] ☐ The mother of my child(ren). ☐ Not the mother of my children. The respondent is: ☐ The legal guardian of my child(ren) ☐ The legal custodian of my child(ren) The Mother of my children, is not the Respondent in this case 2. Respondent’s residential address is: [Street Address] [City] [State] [County] [Zip] ---PAGE BREAK--- PETITION FOR LEGITIMATION AND CUSTODY/VISITATION COLUMBIA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Last Updated 1/6/2023 Page 2 of 7 3. [REQUIRED] Respondent’s last known telephone number is 4. [Check ONLY ONE of the following] ☐ I am a resident of Columbia County, Georgia. ☐ The respondent is a resident of Columbia County, Georgia. ☐ The child(ren) reside(s) in Columbia County, Georgia. 5. ☐ I have been a resident of the State of Georgia for more than six consecutive months immediately prior to my filing this action. ☐ I have not been a resident of the State of Georgia for more than six consecutive months immediately prior to my filing of this action but Respondent has been a resident of the State of Georgia for at least six consecutive months immediately prior to my filing of this action. 6. ☐ The Respondent has acknowledged service of process. I am filing the Acknowledgement of Service which has been signed by the Respondent with this Petition. [Street Address] [City] [State] [Zip] 7. I am the father of the following minor child(ren), born out of wedlock: Complete Name of Child First, Middle, Last Sex of Child Year of Birth ---PAGE BREAK--- PETITION FOR LEGITIMATION AND CUSTODY/VISITATION COLUMBIA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Last Updated 1/6/2023 Page 3 of 7 8. I want to legitimate my relationship with my child(ren) so that my child(ren) and I will be capable of inheriting from each other in the same manner as if the child(ren) had been born in wedlock. The reason(s) I wish to legitimate my children are: 9. The minor child(ren) currently live at in County, State of with the following adult(s): The child(ren) has/have lived at this address since approximately 10. Dates at Address Address 11. During the last five years, the child(ren) has/have lived with the following adults: Name of Adult Current Address of Adult ---PAGE BREAK--- PETITION FOR LEGITIMATION AND CUSTODY/VISITATION COLUMBIA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Last Updated 1/6/2023 Page 4 of 7 12. [Check ONLY ONE of the following] ☐ I have never participated as a party or a witness or in any other capacity in any other litigation concerning the custody of or visitation with the minor child(ren) in Georgia or any other jurisdiction. ☐ I have participated in other litigation concerning the custody of or visitation with the minor child(ren). The Court, Civil Action Number, and date of any Order concerning custody or visitation under the other litigation are as follows: 13. [Check ONLY ONE of the following] ☐ I do not have any information or any proceeding that could affect this case, including proceedings for enforcement and proceedings relating to family violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights and adoptions, in Georgia or any other jurisdiction. ☐ I have information about a proceeding that could affect this case. The Court, Civil Action Number, and nature of the proceeding are as follows: ---PAGE BREAK--- PETITION FOR LEGITIMATION AND CUSTODY/VISITATION COLUMBIA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Last Updated 1/6/2023 Page 5 of 7 14. [Check ONLY ONE of the following] ☐ I do not know of any person who is not a party to this case who has physical custody of the child(ren) or who claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the child(ren). ☐ I know a person who is not a party to this case who has physical custody of the child(ren) or who claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the child(ren). The names and the current addresses of the person(s): Name Current Address 15. [Check ONLY if applicable] ☐ I want to change the name of my child(ren) from: Current Name of Child Proposed New Name of Child 16. [Check ONLY if applicable] ☐ I seek to have my name entered as the father on the birth record of my child(ren). ---PAGE BREAK--- PETITION FOR LEGITIMATION AND CUSTODY/VISITATION COLUMBIA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Last Updated 1/6/2023 Page 6 of 7 17. [Check ONE of the following] ☐ A Parenting Plan is attached as “Exhibit A” and is incorporated herein by reference thereto. I believe the custody or visitation arrangement within is in the best interests of the child(ren). ☐ I am not asking the Court to address the issue of custody or visitation in this case. 18. [Check ONE of the following] ☐ A child support worksheet and addendum are attached as “Exhibit B” and are incorporated herein by reference thereto. I believe the child support amount therein is in the best interests of the children. ☐ I am not asking the Court to address the issue of Child Support in this case. WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests: [Check ONLY applicable] ☐ That Respondent be served with notice of this Petition as provided by law; ☐ That the Court enter an Order legitimating my relationship with the child(ren) so that the child(ren) and I will be capable of inheriting each other in the same manner as if the child(ren) had born in wedlock; ☐ That the child(ren)’s name(s) be changed as requested above; ☐ That the Department of Vital Statistics be ordered and directed the birth records of each child and reissue a birth certificate showing me, Petitioner, as the father; ☐ That custody for the child(ren) be Ordered as requested with the attached Parenting Plan; ☐ That visitation for the child(ren) be Ordered as requested above; ☐ That a Rule Nisi be scheduled by the Court to decide on the relief I have requested. ☐ That the Court Order any and all other relief that is just and proper. ---PAGE BREAK--- PETITION FOR LEGITIMATION AND CUSTODY/VISITATION COLUMBIA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Last Updated 1/6/2023 Page 7 of 7 VERIFICATION I personally appeared before the undersigned Notary Public, and say under oath that I am the Petitioner in the above-styled action and that the facts stated in the corresponding Petition for Legitimation and Custody/Visitation are true and correct. Date PETITIONER [Sign in front of notary] Email Address: Sworn to and subscribed before me This ___day Notary Public My Commission