Newborn, Father's Last Name If Not Present?

[EricLovesBA]

Hi all, I have a question, maybe somebody may be able to help.

I am away on business in the states, and yesterday my Argentine wife went and delivered our son, Ethan, almost 2 months early! She and he are both doing fine so far, though he is quite small, 1.4Kg. Hopefully he will be fine and healthy.

We are having a technical issue regarding the last name. I may not be able to return right this minute, but they are pushing to go ahead and process his DNI. (to track or authorize services he may need or something like that?). We did not register a name in the registro civil before I left. We would like to give the baby my last name, but they are telling us I need to be present for that. Is that correct? Is there any way around it?

I understand it's quite difficult to change a last name in Argentina. I wonder is there any special case here? I wonder if there is some time window where I can come back and rectify this?

Some details:

• I am a US citizen, Argentine permanent resident via marriage
• She is an Argentine citizen (as of a few years ago, originally from Paraguay)
• We were married here in Argentina and have our libreto of marriage
• The baby looks like me and even has my big nose! (ok, just had to throw that in)

This seems to say that she could do the paperwork with our marriage libreto and our DNI's? I'm not sure about the last name part though?

http://www.argentina...-nacimiento.php

I have tried to do my homework here on baexpats, but so far did not find anything addressing my specific question.

http://baexpats.org/...tificate-guide/
http://baexpats.org/...istering-birth/
http://baexpats.org/...e-in-argentina/

Options? Thanks!!!!

 

[Girino]

Well, I can't help you with your question but I just wanted to congratulate with you! From your post I can feel the joy, surprise, and happiness! Felicitaciones!

 

[nicoenarg]

Eric, congrats!!

If your baby was born in a hospital in the capital then this page might help:

http://www.buenosair...-del-nacimiento

It says that you have up to 40 days after the birth of the baby to register him in registro civil. It also says that one of the two parents has to be present, not both. And most importantly it says that the parent who is present should "swear an oath" on the agreement about the last name(s). I am not 100% sure whether that oath is verbal or written but you could maybe ask your family to visit the registro civil and find out.

 

[citygirl]

Congratulations!! Mine were born 6 weeks early - it's a scary time in neo but the babies will be in the best of care. (PS - Even if your wife isn't asking you - my totally unsolicited advice - get on a plane and come home as soon as you can. You wife is going to be emotionally exhausted as well as physically exhausted - she'll need you!)

As for the name - that's strange. You need to make an appt at the civil registry to register the babies and get the DNI, official copy of the birth record, etc. The hopsital doesn't do it anymore. You need to make an appt on line for the turno - do that now as there usually is a good 20-30 day wait. Otherwise I believe she can go alone and register them as long as she had the red book, DNI, etc.

 

[nikad]

Sorry it is in Spanish. Seems like your wife can do it herself even if you are abroad.

Cómo se hace el trámite para inscribir al bebé: Acta o Partida de nacimiento y DNI


El trámite hay que hacerlo dentro de los 40 días a partir de la fecha de nacimiento del bebé en el Registro Civil que corresponda, delegaciones del registro o centros de documentación rápida. En la Ciudad de Buenos Aires es necesario pedir turno previamente por teléfono al 147 o vía Internet (al momento de sacar el turno se indicará el lugar a donde se deberá llevar la documentación).

En hospitales públicos, el trámite de inscripción de nacimiento puede hacerse ahí mismo.

Papeles que hay que llevar para anotar al bebé:

Para hacer el Acta o Partida de nacimiento más el DNI, deben concurrir con el bebé a alguno de los lugares antes mencionados.

Si los padres están casados puede ir uno de los dos con el bebé y debe llevar:

• Libreta de matrimonio (original y copia)
• DNI de ambos padres (original y copia)
• Certificado de nacimiento (original)

Si no están casados deben ir ambos padres con el bebé y llevar:

• DNI de cada uno (original y copia)
• Certificado de nacimiento (original)

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If you have private insurance or obra social, baby should have everything covered for one year ( Plan Materno Infantil )

http://www.materna.com.ar/Embarazo/Salud-en-el-embarazo/Articulos-Salud-en-el-Embarazo/El-Plan-Materno-Infantil/Articulo/ItemID/3474/View/Details.aspx

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Congratulations!

 

[EricLovesBA]

Thank you all so much for the felicidades and the advice and information. I will relay this to the family and see what they can find out. I'll keep you posted.

And again thanks!!!!! You all are the best. There may be a lot of debating and bickering and complaining on this forum sometimes, but I love how people in our little community always pitch in and help in moments like this!

 

[mikic007]

Complaining and hatchet swinging is needed, that people don't fall asleep and miss such posts

Congrats!

 

[citygirl]

Oh and in case no one tells you and you have private health insurance - teh BEST thing ever is the first year with the plan materno, doctors will come to your house if your baby is unwell at NO charge. You call the insurance company to tell them and they will send a traveling pediatrican to check on your little one, usually within a few hours. Even after the first year, you can request it and pay a minimal charge - I think last time I did it, I paid 100 pesos. It makes such a difference - the last thing you want to do is take your sick newborn baby to an office. I had no idea it was an option until another mom told me - it's the greatest thing ever for when they're sick but not need to go to the hospital level of sick.