Paternity 400-19-70-15
(Revised 1/1/17 ML #3482)
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Paternity is considered legally established by marriage, adoption, adjudication in a court proceeding or through voluntary acknowledgement. Prior to authorizing TANF eligibility, the TANF Eligibility Worker must determine whether or not paternity of a child has been established.
- Marriage – If a couple
is married when the child is born, the spouse is presumed to be the parent of the child. In addition, the spouse is presumed to be the parent of the child if the child is born within 300 days after the marriage is
terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce,
or after a decree of separation is entered by a court. This is true even
if the mother claims someone else is or may be the child’s biological
parent.
- Adoption – If a child is
adopted, the adopted parent(s) is considered the parent(s)
at the time the final order is issued.
- Adjudication – When a child
is born out of wedlock, it is the responsibility
of the Child Support Division to secure an adjudication of paternity in
a court proceeding, if necessary. However, an adjudication of paternity
may also be secured by an attorney representing either parent.
- Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity – SFN 8195, North Dakota Acknowledgment of Paternity, with a revision date of 4/98 or later, is a legal document that unmarried parents may sign to acknowledge paternity of a child. It has the force and effect of a relationship of parent and child established through a court. Often, this form is signed in the hospital at the time of the child’s birth. The parent’s name is added to the birth certificate based on the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity.