At DNA Testing Newark (DTN), we've helped countless families navigate the paternity establishment process in New Jersey. Based on our years of experience, we've created this comprehensive guide to help you understand your options and rights.
Paternity establishment is the legal process of identifying and documenting who a child's biological father for unmarried parents. In New Jersey, this is typically done through a Certificate of Parentage (COP), which creates a legal record of the father and child relationship.
Establishing legal paternity is important for:
Establishing a child support order
Acquiring health insurance through a parent's employer if coverage is offered
Protecting the child's right to benefits in the event of a parent's death, including inheritance, veteran's benefits, and Social Security
Protecting the child's sense of identity and history by ensuring they know their father's name and have access to important medical history
For parents who are not married to each other, paternity can only be established legally in two ways:
By signing a Certificate of Parentage (COP), or
By going to court
Parents who are married to each other do not need to sign this form because their child's paternity is already established.
Fathers who acknowledge they are the biological father can establish paternity by signing a Certificate of Parentage. This legal document officially confirms who the father is and establishes the legal parent-child relationship.
You can obtain and sign a Certificate of Parentage form also know as Affidavit of Parentage in several ways:
At the hospital immediately after the child is born. Hospital staff can provide the form and assist with completing it.
At your local registrar's office if you did not sign at the hospital
At your local welfare office in New Jersey if you did not sign at the hospital
The alleged biological father does not need to be at the hospital to sign the COP—he can complete it later at the registrar's office or welfare office.
IMPORTANT: Should You Get DNA Testing Before Signing?
As DNA testing experts, we strongly recommend considering paternity testing before signing the Certificate of Parentage if there is any uncertainty. Here's why:
If you want to have a blood or genetic test to verify paternity, do not sign the COP until you have received the results of the test. Once signed by both parents and witnessed or notarized, this form will have the same binding effect as a court judgment of paternity.
At DNA Testing Newark, we provide accurate, confidential DNA paternity testing that can give you peace of mind before making this important legal commitment.
By signing the Certificate of Parentage, you are legally establishing your child's paternity. Paternity means fatherhood. Signing the form is voluntary. However, since signing this form has serious legal consequences, you may want to consult an attorney before you sign.
Paternity is legally established on the date both parents sign this form. Once completed, this form:
Allows a parent to seek a child support order without further court proceedings to establish paternity
May be filed in court and serve as the basis for orders of custody or visitation
Has the same binding effect as a court judgment of paternity
Privacy Protection
This form is not a public record. It will only be available to:
The parents and child named on this form
The child's legal guardian or legal representative
Government officials in the conduct of their official duties
Financial Responsibilities: Both parents are required by law to support their child from birth. If your child does not live with you, you may be ordered by the court to pay child support until the child's eighteenth birthday, or beyond in some circumstances.
Custody and Visitation Rights: A parent who does not live with the child may have the right to visit and establish a relationship with the child as you both agree or as ordered by the court.
How Will Your Child Benefit If You Sign This Form?
Every child has the right to know his or her mother and father and benefit from a relationship with both parents. When you establish paternity:
Your child will have two legal parents
Medical history access: It will be easier for your child to learn the medical histories of both parents and to benefit from healthcare coverage available to you
Financial support: Your child has a right to financial support from both of you until age eighteen, or beyond in some circumstances
Government benefits: It will be easier for your child to receive benefits such as dependent or survivor's benefits from the Veteran's Administration or from the Social Security Administration
Inheritance rights: It will be easier for your child to inherit through you
A COP can be rescinded at any time within 60 days of the date signed under the following conditions:
If both parties agree to rescind: File a Rescission of Certificate of Parentage with the Bureau of Vital Records
If only one person wants to rescind: An action must be filed with the court
If the Certificate of Parentage is rescinded within the 60-day time frame, the father's name and information will be removed from your child's birth certificate. Please note, however, that either party can later bring a court action to establish paternity.
After 60 Days:
After this 60-day period, parents can challenge the Certificate of Parentage in court only on the basis of:
Fraud
Duress
Material mistake of fact
The parent attempting to rescind must provide proof of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact.
At DTN, we understand that establishing paternity is a significant decision with long-lasting legal and emotional consequences. We offer:
Accurate DNA paternity testing to verify biological relationships before you sign legal documents
Confidential service with results you can trust
Expert guidance throughout the testing process
Court-admissible results for child support cases or adding a father's name to the child's birth certificate.
All DNA samples are tested and analyzed by a partner AABB accredited lab which is essential for evidence submission for Essex County and all residents of New Jersey.
Need reliable legal paternity testing services to establish paternity? Call 866-269-2516 to schedule an appointment today.