Is marriage required for establishing paternity?

No, marriage is not required for establishing paternity in California. According to California Family Code 7600, paternity is established when a child is born to a married couple, or, if the parents are not married, when paternity is established by either an acknowledgment of paternity or a court order. If the parents are married when the child is born, the husband is considered the legal father of the child. This means that the marriage itself is a form of legally binding parental recognition, and there is no need to do anything further to establish paternity. On the other hand, if the parents are not married, then paternity must be established either through an acknowledgment of paternity or a court order. An acknowledgment of paternity is a voluntary, signed form in which the father acknowledges that he is the biological father of the child. With this form, the father assumes legal rights and responsibilities, and there is no need for a court order. In some cases, paternity can also be established through a court order. This typically happens when the parents disagree about the paternity of the child, or if the father is not willing to sign an acknowledgment of paternity. Court orders can also be used to determine paternity if the mother does not know who the father is. In summary, marriage is not required for establishing paternity in California. Paternity can be legally established through either an acknowledgment of paternity or a court order.

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Is marriage required for establishing paternity?

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