Paternity is the establishment of the legal Parent-Child Relationship between a father and his child(ren).
How is Paternity Established?
Paternity can be established by:
- A man admitting he is the father of a child by signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity.
This form needs to be signed by both the father and the mother and submitted to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Once this form has been submitted to the Bureau of Vital Statistics and appropriate fees have been paid, the father's name will be added to the child(ren)'s birth certificate. This form can be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics or at the birthing hospital.
- A man admitting he is the father of a child by signing an Admission of Paternity and other appropriate paperwork at the Denver County Child Support Office.
The legal documents are then filed with the Court along with a Report of Paternity Determination form. The Child Support Office will certify the Report of Paternity Determination form and forward it on to the Bureau of Vital Statistics to add the father's name to the child's birth certificate. Fees are charged for a copy of this changed birth certificate.
- If a father denies or is not sure if he is the father of a child he can request genetic testing.
Once genetic testing is completed and a positive result is received, the father can admit he is the father of the child or paternity can be adjudicated administratively or by the Court.
Once paternity is adjudicated, a Report of Paternity Determination form is completed by the Child Support Office and submitted to the Court. The Child Support Office will certify the Report of Paternity Determination form and forward it on to the Bureau of Vital Statistics to add the father's name to the child's birth certificate. Fees are charged for a copy of this changed birth certificate.