Establishing Paternity in Vermont
How paternity is established in Vermont: the voluntary acknowledgment form, court orders, genetic testing and deadlines.
Short answer: The person who gave birth and the alleged genetic parent (or an intended or presumed parent) may sign an acknowledgment of parentage, witnessed by at least one other person, before or after birth; 15C V.S.A. §§ 301, 304, 305, 307, 308
| Establishing paternity | The person who gave birth and the alleged genetic parent (or an intended or presumed parent) may sign an acknowledgment of parentage, witnessed by at least one other person, before or after birth; it is filed with the Department of Health and is equivalent to a court adjudication. It can be rescinded by filing a witnessed rescission with the Department of Health or starting a court case within 60 days after it takes effect (or within 60 days of the first court hearing about the child, if earlier). After that, a signer may challenge it only for fraud, duress, coercion, threat of harm or material mistake of fact, within two years. |
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Where to get help in Vermont
More Vermont divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Vermont
- Adopting a Child in Vermont
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Vermont
- Changing Your Name in Vermont
- Child Custody Laws in Vermont
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Vermont
- Divorce Records in Vermont
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Vermont
- How to File for Divorce in Vermont
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Vermont
- All Vermont divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you establish paternity in Vermont?
The person who gave birth and the alleged genetic parent (or an intended or presumed parent) may sign an acknowledgment of parentage, witnessed by at least one other person, before or after birth; it is filed with the Department of Health and is equivalent to a court adjudication. It can be rescinded by filing a witnessed rescission with the Department of Health or starting a court case within 60 days after it takes effect (or within 60 days of the first court hearing about the child, if earlier). After that, a signer may challenge it only for fraud, duress, coercion, threat of harm or material mistake of fact, within two years.
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.