Verifying Paternity
One of the most popular uses of DNA testing today is paternity establishment. Establishing paternity is one of the most important things parents can do for their children. Once paternity is established, children born to unmarried parents can legally receive the same benefits and privileges that other children receive from parents who are married.
In this section, you will learn about:
Legally Acknowledging Paternity
When a child is born, paternity can be established in one of two ways:
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Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity - This is a written admission of paternity of a child born to unmarried parents. It is sometimes called an affidavit acknowledging paternity and is typically completed at the hospital. All hospitals have voluntary acknowledgement of paternity forms.
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Voluntary acknowledgement of paternity forms can be completed any time after the child leaves the hospital until the child's 18th birthday (in most states); forms are available at the local or state child support agencies.
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The acknowledgement of paternity becomes a legal finding of paternity within 60 days of signing if it is uncontested.
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Legal paternity hearing (court or administrative) - A court can order a paternity test or review other evidence to determine the paternity of a child.
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If an alleged father fails to show up for a paternity hearing, he will be named the father by default.
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If taking a paternity test, the probability of paternity will establish a legal presumption of paternity if the man is the father.
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Some states allow children to bring action to establish paternity if they are between the ages of 18 and 21 years old.
Some additional notes you should consider:
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If the alleged father is missing, a child support agency can assist the family in tracking him down through location services.
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If the mother is married to a man who is not the biological father, her husband is automatically indicated as the father unless legal action is taken. This action often includes disestablishment of paternity or legal involvement in the biological father's affidavit acknowledging paternity.
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