Paternity FAQs

Information can be removed only if the court order has stated that the father listed on the birth certificate is not the biological father or if it specifically states that a person's name and information are to be removed from the birth record.

A gestational agreement is an agreement under which a woman agrees to bear the child of a married couple. The child being carried by its "gestational mother" does not share any of her genetic material. The baby's genetic parents are usually referred to as the "intended parents."

No. Evidence used to establish parentage is not returned; it is retained as part of the official, permanent record.

If one of the parents is deceased, a court order indicating true and correct parentage is needed to add a parent's name and information to the birth certificate.

For more information, visit the New Birth Certificated Base on Parentage webpage.

A father is not listed on my child's birth certificate as I wasn't married at time of birth. Can I file a paternity claim to have my current husband listed as the father? He is willing to accept responsibility for my child.

No, only the biological father of the child can be added to a birth certificate by using the paternity rules and procedures. The only legal way a stepfather can have his name added to the birth certificate as the father is for him to legally adopt the child. You must consult an attorney to learn about the procedures for adoption.

You can obtain a certified copy of an existing court order from the district clerk's office in the county where the court action took place.

Our office cannot provide you with legal advice. You must contact an attorney for information on the steps and procedures for petitioning a court to establish or remove paternity.

Texas Vital Statistics cannot send out Acknowledgement of Paternity forms to applicants. Instead, the forms can only be obtained from someone certified by the Texas Attorney General's office to verbally explain to all the parties the rights and responsibilities that come with signing the form.

To learn about your options, find a certified person, or you do not live in Texas call the Paternity Opportunity Program at 1-866-255-2006. to find such a person or "entity." Please listen to all options carefully.

For more information, visit the Texas Attorney General Office website.

Only someone who has been certified to verbally explain the parental rights and responsibilities that come with signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity form can provide you with an entity code.

To learn about your options, find a certified person, or you do not live in Texas call the Paternity Opportunity Program at 1-866-255-2006. to find such a person or "entity." Please listen to all options carefully.

For more information, visit the Texas Attorney's General Office website.

Vital Statistics may release information relating to the Acknowledgement of Paternity or Denial of Paternity to an individual who signed the document, the courts, and the Title IV-D agency of this or another state. This includes parents, presumed fathers, court-ordered attorneys and the office of attorney general.

To request a copy, complete an Acknowledgement of Paternity Inquiry application.

Parents can call the Office of Attorney General Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) hotline at 866-255-2006.

For more information, visit the Texas Attorney's General Office website.

Qualified individuals can request a search of the paternity registry.

To learn more, visit the Paternity Registry Inquiries webpage.

Information contained in the registry is confidential and may be released on request only to qualified individuals.

To learn more, visit the Paternity Registry Inquiries webpage.

The Notice of Intent to Claim Paternity must be filed before the birth of the child or not later than the 31st day after the date of birth of the child.

To learn more, visit the Paternity Registry webpage.

For a timeframe and more information, visit the Court of Continuing Jurisdiction webpage.

Visit the Court of Continuing Jurisdiction webpage for the form and supporting information.

Visit the Court of Continuing Jurisdiction webpage for the form and supporting information.