What if the father has doubts about his paternity?

If the father has doubts about his paternity in Pennsylvania, he has several options available to him. The first is to file a court action for genetic testing, which is a process that compares the DNA of the alleged father to that of the child. The results of this test can be used as evidence in a paternity suit. If the father is not willing to go through this process, he can invoke his right to an in loco parentis proceeding. This process requires that the father and alleged mother appear in court and the court will determine paternity through a preponderance of the evidence. The father also has the option of signing a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity. This is a form that is often provided in hospitals at the time of birth or can be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Once the form is signed, the father is legally responsible for the child and has the same rights and obligations as any other parent. Finally, the father can refuse to sign any forms and must provide written notice to the Bureau of Vital Statistics that he is not the father. A court action will be required to settle the issue. In any of these cases, the father has the right to legal representation throughout the process.

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What if the father has doubts about his paternity?

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