Two parents and child

Family & Safety

happy-boy-poses_925x.jpg
Paternity or parentage
Parentage is the legal relationship between a child and a parent. Parentage needs to be established before child support, parenting time, or decision-making power can be ordered.
My rights and responsibilities once parentage is established
A parent has the right to parenting time (visitation) with a child. They can also ask for decision-making power over the child. They must also pay child support.
Text article
Establishing parentage
(19 resources)
Starting a case for parentage in court
Steps to establish parentage from the forms you need to the court hearing process.
How-To
Parentage and allocation petition for father
Use this form to ask a judge to establish parentage if you think you are the father of a child.
Form download
Voluntary acknowledgment of parentage or VAP basics
A VAP is a legal form that establishes a legal relationship between a parent and a child. Both parents must sign the form. Once it is signed, it is very hard to undo.
Text article
Parentage and allocation petition for mother
Use this form to ask a judge to establish parentage if you are the mother of a child.
Form download
View all
Fighting parentage
(3 resources)
Undoing a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP)
Options for giving up a legal relationship with a child after the legal form has already been signed by both parents.
Text article
Denial of parentage
Use this form to deny that you are the parent of a child.
Form link
Petition to challenge VAP
Use this form to challenge a voluntary acknowledgement of parentage (VAP).
Form download
View all