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PATERNITY

If a child is born to a couple who are not married to each other and if the father’s name is not on the birth certificate, then the mother can file a suit in court to declare the biological father to be the parent of the child.  This suit is called a Suit Affecting Parent-Child Relationship or “SAPCR” for short. 

Paternity Testing:

After the suit is filed, the court will order paternity testing through a DNA lab if the alleged biological father asks for it.  Both parties and the child have to be tested – usually through a mouth swab at the lab.  Usually there is a lab close to you that can do the testing.  The lab will set up the times for mother, child and bio dad to come in and give a swab.  The results are mailed to the court and to both mother and alleged father.  If the results show that the dad is 99% certain to be the father of the child then the court considers this to be an absolute declaration that dad is the father of the child. 

SAPCR Order

The final order in a Suit Affecting Parent-Child Relationship will contain provisions for custody, child support and health insurance. 

Acknowledgement of Paternity

A biological father who is not on the birth certificate can sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity which can be filed with the Bureau of Vital Statistics.  There is no fee for filing the Acknowledgement.