Establishing Paternity in New Jersey

A father's paternity can be established by a Certificate of Parentage signed before or after the birth and filed with the appropriate state agency, by a court order (including based on genetic testing), or by giving full faith and credit to another state's determination. A signed voluntary acknowledgment is a legal finding of paternity, but the signer may rescind it within 60 days of signing or by the date a support order is established in a case to which the signer is a party, whichever is earlier. After that, it can be voided only on clear and convincing evidence of fraud, duress or material mistake of fact. In a contested case, the parties must submit to genetic testing at a party's request supported by a sworn statement.