Paternity Establishment

PATERNITY ESTABLISHMENT

A child support order cannot be established for a child who is born to unmarried parents until:

• The alleged father acknowledges paternity by signing the Affidavit of Parentage in the hospital, at the child support agency or at the Clerk of the Court's office.
• Legal action is filed with the court when the alleged father does not voluntarily acknowledge paternity.  A formal Complaint is served on the alleged father.  A court hearing is held and the court makes a determination of paternity.

Genetic testing is recommended if there are any doubts about the paternity of a child.  The alleged father may be tested to determine whether or not he is the biological father of a child. Genetic testing is highly accurate in determining the paternity of a child.  A swab is taken from inside the cheek of the mother, alleged father and child, then sent to a laboratory for testing.