Common Q's

Acknowledgement of Paternity

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1. What does it mean to 'acknowledge paternity'?
2. Why should we establish paternity for our baby?
3. Why should paternity be acknowledged at the time of birth?
4. How is it done?
5. Will signing the Acknowledgment of Paternity make a person the legal father?
6. What if the mother is married to someone else or the baby was born within 300 days of the date of her divorce?
7. What if one or both parents change their mind after they have signed the AOP and it has been filed at BVS?
8. Where can we get an AOP form?
9. What if the father wants to sign the AOP but cannot come to the hospital?
10. What if the father does not want to acknowledge paternity?
11. What if the father thinks that the child is his, but the mother won't sign the Acknowledgment of Paternity with him?
12. What if the father does not believe the child is his?
13. Who pays for paternity tests?

What does it mean to 'acknowledge paternity'?

Paternity means fatherhood. When both parents sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity and it is filed with the Bureau of Vital Statistics, the biological father becomes the legal father. Once paternity has been established, the father's name is placed on the birth certificate. A court can order him to pay child support and grant him the right to visitation or possession of his child.
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Why should we establish paternity for our baby? Texas

• Under Texas law, a child born to a man and woman who are not married has no legal father. There is a difference between a biological father and a legal father. When the child's parents complete an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) to establish legal fatherhood, this helps to secure the legal rights of the child.
• Courts cannot order a father to pay child support until paternity is established.
• The father cannot enforce his right to visitation or possession of the child until paternity is established.
• The father may be able to provide health insurance, or other benefits, for the child.
• The child may be able to receive money through a government program. In many cases the child may be eligible for Social Security, veteran's benefits, health care, or other government benefits.
• Children can be born with diseases or disorders inherited from their parents. Sometimes doctors can tell at the time of birth if a baby has any inherited diseases or disorders. But other times health problems appear later in a child's life. Either way, it helps the doctors to know how to treat a child if they know the family medical history of both the mother and the father.
• It's tough growing up today. Your child will have an easier time just by knowing the identity of his or her father.

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Why should paternity be acknowledged at the time of birth? Texas

There are two main reasons. First, this is the most convenient time. Everything is together in one place. The necessary forms are available at hospitals in Texas. The father is likely to be with the mother at the hospital when the baby is born. The parents don't have to worry about mailing the forms; the hospital will make sure that everything is sent to the right place. And the father's name will be added to the birth certificate at no cost. Second, it's the best time for the baby. The earlier in the baby's life paternity is established, the more secure his or her future will be.
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How is it done?

It's simple. An AOP can be obtained from the hospital, usually from the birth registrar in Medical Records. The father and mother sign the form, and the hospital staff send the AOP to the Bureau of Vital Statistics (BVS), where it is filed.
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Will signing the Acknowledgment of Paternity make a person the legal father?

Yes, when the mother and father both sign the AOP, the biological father becomes the legal father once the AOP is filed at the BVS.
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What if the mother is married to someone else or the baby was born within 300 days of the date of her divorce?

If the mother is married to someone other than the biological father or the baby is born within 300 days of her divorce from a man who is not the biological father, the husband must sign a Denial of Paternity. The biological father cannot become the legal father by signing the AOP until the husband signs the Denial of Paternity, which is part of the AOP form. If the husband does not sign the Denial, either biological parent can open a case with the Attorney General or go to an attorney to establish paternity through the courts. AccuMolecular Diagnostics can help you in this situation by performing a DNA paternity test, call us at 1-(866)-586-6189 toll free or locally in San Antonio at (210)-767-3951
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What if one or both parents change their mind after they have signed the AOP and it has been filed at BVS?

Anyone who signed the AOP may file a petition to rescind it. The petition must be filed in court within the first 60 days after the AOP has been filed with BVS or before the first court hearing, whichever is earlier.
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Where can we get an AOP form?

AOP forms are available at the hospital, the local birth registrar, the Attorney General's Child Support Office, and the Bureau of Vital Statistics. In Texas, these departments can be reached at (512) 458-7393.
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What if the father wants to sign the AOP but cannot come to the hospital?

Sometimes the parents are not able to do everything necessary to acknowledge paternity while the mother and baby are still at the hospital, or the father cannot come to the hospital. When this happens, the parents can sign the AOP before the baby is born, and the mother can bring the AOP to the hospital at the time of birth. She can also take one home after the birth. The father must take the AOP to a Child Support Office, the local registry, or another certified entity to receive information on his rights and responsibilities.
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What if the father does not want to acknowledge paternity? Texas

The mother should contact an attorney or the Office of the Attorney General. The Office of the Attorney General will open a child support case for her. It is important that the mother complete an application with the Office of the Attorney General, providing as much information as possible. Information about the father, such as a Social Security number, place of employment, and an address, makes it easier to locate him. If the mother is on public assistance, her case will be automatically referred to the Office of the Attorney General by the Texas Department of Human Services. Usually paternity has to be established through a paternity test. AccuMolecular Diagnostics has performed over 100 legal paternity tests. Call AccuMolecular Diagnostics at 1-(866)-586-6189 toll free or locally in San Antonio at (210)-767-3951
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What if the father thinks that the child is his, but the mother won't sign the Acknowledgment of Paternity with him?

The father can come to the Office of the Attorney General and open a case, or he can consult a private attorney. Usually a paternity test must be conducted to establish paternity. Call AccuMolecular Diagnostics at 1-(866)-586-6189 toll free or locally in San Antonio at (210)-767-3951 to schedule your appointment. It is important that the father complete an application with the Office of the Attorney General providing as much information as possible. Information about the mother, such as a Social Security number, place of employment, and an address, makes it easier to locate her.
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What if the father does not believe the child is his?

He can ask for paternity testing. A court will look at the results of the paternity test and at other evidence that would link the father to the child. AccuMolecular Diagnostics has performed over 100+ paternity tests for legal purposes. We have the expertise, knowledge, and experience to conduct court-admissible paternity tests. Call us at 1-(866)-586-6189 toll free or locally in San Antonio at (210)-767-3951
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Who pays for paternity tests?

If the case has been filed with the Office of the Attorney General, this agency will pay for the tests. If the tests show that the man is the biological father of the child, the court may order him to repay the cost of the tests.
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