In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
If the father is on the birth certificate, does he still need to petition the court for paternity orders as well as parenting time and legal decision making?
Is his paternity being challenged? If not, then probably not. Even if paternity has been legally established and the father is on the birth certificate, the father has no legal right to parenting time or legal decision making until the court orders parenting time or legal decision making. Your county superior court may have more information or forms on this particular circumstance.
Resources:
Maricopa County forms and instructions
Presumption of paternity A.R.S. § 25-814
Paternity FAQ
