Establishing Paternity in Texas
How paternity is established in Texas: the voluntary acknowledgment form, court orders, genetic testing and deadlines.
Short answer: The mother and a man claiming to be the biological father may sign an acknowledgment of paternity under penalty of perjury; it is filed with the vital statistics unit. Tex. Fam. Code §§ 160.301, 160.302, 160.307, 160.308, 160.502
| Establishing paternity | The mother and a man claiming to be the biological father may sign an acknowledgment of paternity under penalty of perjury; it is filed with the vital statistics unit. A signer may rescind by filing a completed rescission form with the vital statistics unit before the earlier of the 60th day after the acknowledgment takes effect or the start of a court proceeding about the child (such as a child support case). After that, it can be challenged only for fraud, duress or material mistake of fact, and only before a court order affecting the child is issued. In a court parentage case, the court must order genetic testing if a party requests it. |
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Where to get help in Texas
More Texas divorce & family law
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- Child Custody Laws in Texas
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- Divorce Records in Texas
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FAQ
How do you establish paternity in Texas?
The mother and a man claiming to be the biological father may sign an acknowledgment of paternity under penalty of perjury; it is filed with the vital statistics unit. A signer may rescind by filing a completed rescission form with the vital statistics unit before the earlier of the 60th day after the acknowledgment takes effect or the start of a court proceeding about the child (such as a child support case). After that, it can be challenged only for fraud, duress or material mistake of fact, and only before a court order affecting the child is issued. In a court parentage case, the court must order genetic testing if a party requests it.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.