Maranhão celebrates Father's Day with a joint effort for legal recognition

In Maranhão, the state's Public Defender's Office will hold a joint effort on August 15th, in yet another initiative to combat paternity under-registration. In São Luís, the action will be at Iema Dr. João Bacelar Portela, which is in the Vila Ivar Saldanha neighborhood. The initiative, created by the National Council of Public Defenders and General Public Defenders, is part of the national campaign “My Father Has a Name”.

To participate in the collective effort, it is necessary to pre-book by August 10th; in person, at the headquarters of the Public Defender's Office, located on Avenida Júnior Coimbra, s/n, in the Renascença II neighborhood or virtually by telephone (98) 99181-2373.

In addition to birth registration, the joint effort also carries out free DNA tests in cases where there is doubt about paternity, requiring the voluntary participation of the parties to collect genetic material. The Public Defender's Office also clarifies that if the mother does not have friendly contact with the alleged father, the Agency undertakes to send an invitation letter for him to voluntarily attend the joint effort.

Public defender Vinícius Goulart, coordinator of the Citizen Relations Center in the state of Maranhão, reinforces that recognition goes beyond the document itself, and that the service continues to be offered after the joint effort.

"Precisely this project aims to reduce judicialization in relation to this matter and a more responsible, more affectionate paternity. Trying to really bring the parties there together. It is important to mention that the Public Defender's Office also carries out these services in relation to the recognition of paternity, both voluntary, and the issue of DNA tests, on a daily basis here at the institution's headquarters."

According to the Association of Notaries and Registrars of the State of Maranhão, more than 11 thousand children are registered every year in the state without their father's name. Since 2020, this number has already exceeded 67 thousand records with maternal affiliation alone. Recognition of paternity guarantees not only the right to identity, but also access to benefits such as alimony, inheritance and inclusion in public policies.

2:48