Paternity In Maryland


Under Maryland law when a child is born to parents who are not married that child has no legal father. A legal father is not the same as a biological father. The legal father must be established through legal proceedings or legal acknowledgment. In some cases this may involve DNA testing. In Maryland DNA testing is done with a non-invasive swab of the cheek.

When your child is born you can immediately establish legal paternity by having the biological father acknowledge paternity on the birth certificate. He can do this by filling out a Affidavit of Parentage that confirms he is indeed the father of your child. You both need to sign this form. you can do this in the hospital immediately after your baby is born. If you wait until you leave the hospital you can still use this form to establish legal paternity, but both parties must sign the form in the presence of a notary public. You can get this form from the hospital, the Department of Social Services and the child support offices. This can be done at any through out your child’s life.

Once you sign this document it becomes legally binding after 60 days. Once the 60 days has passed this document can only be challenged in a court of law. However, until the court finds the document invalid the legal father named on the document is responsible for the child and their name remains on that child’s birth certificate. This document can be signed by a minor without the consent of their parent or guardian.

If your child’s biological father is not present the child support enforcement office can help you prove legal paternity. With your cooperation they will locate the alleged father. They will either have him sign the Affidavit of Parentage or have the court order a a paternity test. Establishing paternity is important for a number or reasons:



• It helps a provide a child with a sense of identity

• It shows your child that you care about their overall well-being

• It entitles your child to their biological father’s social security, veteran and life insurance benefits.

• It gives your child access to their father’s medical history

• It entitles your child to financial support from both of their parents
Information on Paternity In Maryland

maryland state paternity testing requirements / paternity test birth certificate maryland / how to get a court ordered paternity test in maryland / Maryland birth certificate laws on non biological fathers and child support payments / maryland paternity test forms / how to get a court ordered paternity test in MD / paternity dna testing for Maryland at birth / paternity test and laws MD / Legal vs biological parentage in Maryland / father proving paternity in maryland / maryland law establishing paternity / paternity testing in hospital in md / dna testing and child support and Maryland / paternity forms for maryland / maryland child support laws and paternity testing / paternity court order md / prueba de adn en maryland / paternity test law in maryland / maryland law on paternity tests / non biological fathers rights in maryland / maryland birth certificate, father has to sign / md paternity test in hospital / fathers rights to a paternity test in maryland / can a paternity test be taken at the hospital immediately after birth / court ordered paternity test in maryland / what is fee for paternity in md / paternity testing and rights in Maryland / Paternity rights for fathers in Maryland / Maryland paternity law birth certificate / paternal rights in maryland / affidavit of parentage maryland / name on birth certificate vs dna maryland / paternity test sign birth certificate maryland / how to get a paternity test done in maryland /