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FAQ - Paternity

In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependecy and/or severance case.

Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.

List of articles in category Paternity
Title
If the father of my child leaves the state, will I still be able to establish paternity for my child?
The father of my child wants to acknowledge paternity. Is there an easy way for him to do this?
What happens if I am not sure who the father is?
If genetic testing is necessary, who pays for it?
What if he denies he is the father, or says he is not sure?
What are the benefits of establishing paternity?
How can I get a court order to establish paternity, when the father agrees that he is the father?
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?
How do I add the name of the father to the birth certificate?
How do I remove the presumed father from the birth certificate when it turns out that he is not the biological father?
What is a presumed father?