What is a court-ordered paternity test?

A court-ordered paternity test is a legal test used to identify the biological father of a child. In North Carolina, a man may be named as the father of a child on the birth certificate, even if there is no scientific proof of paternity. This is referred to as an “Acknowledgment of Paternity.” However, at any time after this, if either the mother or the father disputes the paternity, then a court-ordered paternity test may be used to determine if the man is, in fact, the father of the child. A court-ordered paternity test typically involves collecting DNA samples from the child, the mother, and the alleged father. These samples are then sent to a laboratory for testing. The lab scientists use DNA markers to compare the child’s DNA to that of the mother and the alleged father. If the lab results show that the alleged father’s DNA matches the child’s, the man is legally considered to be the father of the child. If, however, the lab results show that the man is not the father, then a court order must be made establishing a different paternity arrangement. A court-ordered paternity test is often the only way to prove or disprove legal paternity.

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What is a court-ordered paternity test?

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