Voluntary Declaration Of Paternity:
When both unmarried parents sign a Declaration of Paternity,
it means they are the legal parents of the child. Signing
a Declaration of Paternity is voluntary.
The parents can sign a declaration at the hospital or can
get forms at their county's
- Local child support agency,
- Registrar of births, or
- Family law facilitator's office.
Click Here
for a sample form.
If the parents sign at the hospital, the father's name
will go on the child's birth certificate, and the mother
does not need to go to court to prove who the father of
the child is.
If they sign the declaration after the child's birth certificate
has been issued, a new birth certificate can be issued with
the father's name.
After a signed Declaration of Paternity is filed with the
court, the judge can make orders for custody, visitation,
and support. Click here for help getting a custody/visitation
order. Click here for help getting a support order.
Child Support Agency Action: Your local
child support agency can bring an action to establish the
parentage of your child. As part of this action, they will
ask for a child support order. This service is free.
Your local child support agency is part of the state Department
of Child Support Services. Every county has a local
child support agency. The local agencies and the department
help parents support and provide health insurance for their
children.
To begin the process, call them and ask for an appointment
to open a case for parentage and support. Click
here to find the local child support agency in your
county.
Click
here to learn more about your local child support agency
and the Department of Child Support Services.
Go To Court Yoursesf: If you want to handle
your own case to establish parentage, you may choose to
hire an attorney to represent you.
