Evidence and proof of paternity

(1) Where, pursuant to section 13 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, Cap. 157, or to the corresponding provisions of any former enactment, the name of the father of the child to whom the entry relates has been entered in the register of births (whether before or after the commencement of this Act), a certified copy of the entry delivered by the Registrar under his hand in accordance with section 43 of that Act or sealed in accordance with section 44 of the said Act 30 shall be prima facie evidence that the person named is the father of the child, Provided that the provisions of this section shall apply only where both the mother and the person acknowledging himself to be the father of the child consented to the entry. (2) Any instrument signed by the mother of a child and by any person acknowledging that he is the father of the child shall, if executed as a deed or by each of those persons in the presence of an attorney-at-law or other person authorised in that behalf, be prima facie evidence that the person named is the father of the child. (3) An order made by the court under section 85 of this Act shall be prima facie evidence of paternity in any subsequent proceedings, whether or not between the same parties. (4) Subject to section 37 (1) of this Act, a declaration of paternity under section 40 of this Act, shall be conclusive proof of paternity for all purposes. (5) An order made by the court under section 85 of this Act, shall be prima facie evidence of paternity for all purposes. (6) The Minister may from time to time, by Order published in the Gazette, declare that subsection (5) of this section applies with respect to orders made by any court or public authority in any specified country outside Belize or by any specified court or public authority in any such country. acknowledgemen t may be filed