When establishing the paternity of a child proves challenging, involving the family court may be your final recourse to confirm paternity. This post will discuss the steps necessary to obtain a court-ordered paternity test.
How do I get a court-ordered DNA test in Texas?
In Texas, if you need to establish paternity with state oversight, you can do so by requesting a DNA test through one of the following methods:
- Application with the Office of the Attorney General aka OAG:
– Begin by filing an Application for Notice of Intent to Claim Paternity with the OAG. Note that this application is for the Texas Paternity Registry, which does not establish legal paternity or enable the father’s name to be added to the birth certificate.
– Complete the form thoroughly, providing as much information as possible to assist in identifying the child. The registry aims to protect the parental rights of fathers willing to be responsible for their children and to facilitate the adoption process for children whose biological fathers are not.
2. Filing a Paternity Petition with the Family Court:
– You can download the petition to adjudicate parentage directly from the family court’s website.
– Once you submit your petition and it is accepted, a court order will be issued and sent to the respondent.
– During the court hearing, the judge will order a DNA test. If the test confirms that the presumed father is the biological parent, the father’s name will be added to the child’s birth certificate.
For more information and resources, you can visit the Texas Office of the Attorney General’s website or contact your local family court.
Conclusion:
Establishing paternity through the court system can be a complicated process, but it provides legal certainty. To obtain a court-ordered DNA test in Texas, you must either file an application with the Office of the Attorney General or directly petition the family court.
While the Attorney General’s office maintains the Paternity Registry, to formally establish paternity you must request adjudication from the court. This involves submitting the proper paperwork, attending a hearing, and submitting to court-ordered genetic testing.
If the test confirms paternity, the court will issue an order to add the father’s name to the birth certificate. Though complex, the court process brings legal weight and finality to determinations of paternity.
