Acknowledgement of Paternity in Texas
When parents are not married to each other, they can get an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) form to name a man as the dad. Signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity in Texas (AOP) is a simple way a man names himself as the child’s father in Texas. You can check out a sample AOP form here.
Understanding the Process of Acknowledgement of Paternity in Texas
Once both parents have filed the acknowledgment of paternity form with the Texas Vital Statistics Unit, the biological father will become the legal father. It means that the father will now have all the legal rights and responsibilities of caring for the child.
Furthermore, there are times when there may also be a need for a denial of paternity form. This form would be signed by the presumed father and state that the presumed father is not the child’s genetic father. This form would be necessary when the presumed father is not the real father of the child.
Have a Better Understanding of “Presumed Father”
A “presumed father” of a child is best defined as:
- The man was married to the child’s mother when the child was born; or
- He was married to the child’s mother any time in between the 300 days before the child was born; or
- The man married the mother after the child was born and voluntarily requested paternity of the child with the Vital Statistics Unit, or on the child’s birth certificate, or in a record in which he agreed to support the child as his own; or
- During the first two years of the child’s life, he consistently lived with the child and treated the child was his own and also communicated that to others.
Need Assistance Filling Out or Filing Acknowledgement of Paternity Form?
Currently, Texas Vital Statistics does not charge a fee for completing of an Acknowledgement of Paternity form. There are a couple of different options you have as far as when you can fill out the form. The form can be filled out at the hospital when the child is born. Secondly, the form can also be filled out before or after the child is born. The Acknowledgement of Paternity form must be filled out at the offices of a certified entity.
Do You Still Have Questions Regarding AOP or Paternity?
Get the help you need to complete an Acknowledgement of Paternity and fully understand your rights as a father. Call or text today.
English | Español
can be contacted by
phone or text at
Can you hug your child today? We can help!