Origin of the child relationship

Because of the birth, a child relationship arises by law with the mother as well as with her husband. The presumption of paternity continues to apply for 302 days after the dissolution of the marriage by judicial separation, judicial divorce or death of the father.

If, however, the husband is not the natural father, the presumption of paternity must be made through the Office of Social Services, Child and Youth Services Division. The Office of Social Services receives a notification of the birth of a child out of wedlock from the Liechtenstein Civil Registry Office after the birth registration has been completed. Subsequently, the parents receive an invitation from the Office of Social Services, Department of Children and Youth Services, to sign the acknowledgement of paternity. This acknowledgement of paternity is then forwarded by the Office of Social Services to the Princely Regional Court for approval by the guardianship court and transmitted to the Liechtenstein Civil Registry Office for registration of paternity.

In the Principality of Liechtenstein, the mother is informed of her rights and obligations. The mother then decides whether or not to sign an acknowledgement of paternity - whether or not to disclose the father of the common child. With regard to kinship and entitlement to inheritance, there is no difference in the Principality of Liechtenstein between a "legitimate" and "illegitimate" child.