How to establish paternity

Introduction

establish paternity of your child

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need

• child's birth certificate

Steps

1

Step One

If there is no doubt as to the paternity of the child, a Paternity Acknowledgment Form can be signed at the hospital when the baby is born. However, if a man signs this document it has the same effect of a judgment establishing paternity. Therefore, most attorneys do not recommend that a man sign a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity without first having genetic (dna) testing completed.

2

Step Two

A mother or putative (alleged) father may file a petition in court seeking to establish a parent-child relationship. Upon either agreement of the parties or a ruling by the court, a final order of paternity will be entered which will specify child support, visitation and custody.

3

Step Three

If the mother and putative (alleged) father marry after the birth of the child, the child is legally assumed to be the child of the father unless specifically refuted by the father.