What is the process for establishing paternity?

In North Carolina, paternity can be established in one of two ways: either voluntarily through a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP) form or through a court order. If the parents wish to voluntarily establish paternity, they must fill out and sign a VAP form at a Vital Records office or with a Vital Records agent. This form must be signed by both parents and it must be witnessed by a Notary Public. Once this form is completed, it is submitted to the Office of Vital Records for filing and is legally binding. In situations where the parents are unable to voluntarily establish paternity, the court may be called upon to do so. This process begins with an action being filed in court. At this point, the alleged father is served with a summons and shown evidence that he is the father. If he does not contest, the court will enter the order of paternity. If he does contest, he may be required to take a genetic test to prove paternity. If the results of this test are 95% or higher, the court will enter the order of paternity. Once paternity has been established, parents can then begin the child support process. The parent who is ordered to pay child support will be required to make payments to the North Carolina Child Support Centralized Collections Office.

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What is the process for establishing paternity?

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