Certification of Paternity

A Certification of Paternity is a legal document that establishes the legal father of a child. This certification may be necessary in custody cases where paternity is disputed or has not been previously established. The certification may be based on genetic testing or an acknowledgment of paternity signed by the father. Establishing paternity is important for determining custody and visitation rights, as well as for establishing child support obligations. A Certification of Paternity provides legal recognition of the father-child relationship and helps ensure that the child’s needs are met.