When can a paternity test be conducted?

In New Hampshire, paternity testing is typically conducted after a child has been born and is subject to the discretion of the court. Generally, the court will grant permission to conduct a paternity test if there is a reasonable concern that a man may not be the biological father of a child. If a child is born to unmarried parents, the mother can file a paternity action with the court, which will then order the man to take a court-approved DNA test. A paternity test cannot be conducted without written authorization from the court. Similarly, if the mother, father, or other parties involved suspect that the man listed as the father on the birth certificate may not be the biological father, the court may also order a paternity test. Additionally, if a married couple is undergoing a divorce, the court may order a paternity test if there is a question of the biological father of a child born during the marriage. The same is true for unmarried couples who are attempting to establish parentage and custody rights for a child. The court will likely order a paternity test to resolve the question of parentage. In all cases, the court must approve the paternity test and the results of the test can be used as evidence in deciding legal matters such as child support, custody, and visitation rights.

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When can a paternity test be conducted?

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