Establishing Paternity – Office of Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle

"Every child deserves to have a legal father."

"When you establish paternity, you identify the legal father of the child. Paternity gives rights and benefits to the mother, the father, and the child."

The State of Florida uses several resources to help applicants establish legal paternity. In some cases, a genetic or DNA test is used to scientifically confirm the father of the child. Once the genetic test results are received from the laboratory, we mail the results to the mother and the alleged father. We do not give any test results to anyone over the phone.

Paternity in the State of Florida is established in one of the following ways:

Marriage

The parents are/were married to each other when the child is/was born. If you have questions or need help during the application process, please contact our Child Support Program at (305) 530-2600.

Acknowledgement of Paternity

For more information on how to amend a birth certificate issued by the State of Florida, please visit the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. If you have questions or need help during the application process, please contact our Child Support Program at (305) 530-2600.

Administrative Order Based on Genetic Testing

Paternity is established by Administrative Order if a genetic test proves fatherhood. If you have questions or need help during the application process, please contact our Child Support Program at (305) 530-2600.

Court Orders

A judge orders paternity in court. If you have questions or need help during the application process, please contact our Child Support Program at (305) 530-2600.

Legitimization

The mother and natural father get married to each other after the child is born and update the birth record through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. If you have questions or need help during the application process, please contact our Child Support Program at (305) 530-2600.