How is paternity established if the parents marry after the child is born?
If the mother was not married to someone else during the pregnancy and marries the father after the child is born, both parents may sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity affidavit. In addition, they may attach a copy of the marriage certificate to the paternity acknowledgment form. When the marriage is verified, the Center for Health Statistics will add the father’s name to the birth record and change the mother’s name on the signature line to her legal name after marriage. Back to Top Q: How is paternity established if the mother was married during the pregnancy to someone who is not the father or if one parent refuses to sign the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity affidavit? Paternity may be established by a legal order from the Division of Child Support or by a court order. If either the father or the mother will not agree to establish paternity and the child is under the age of 18, either parent may ask the Division of Child Support for assistance. The Division of Child S
