Why is it important to establish parentage?

It is important to establish a legal relationship between the parents and a child because it provides rights and benefits to both parents and children.

These rights and benefits include:

Identity
It’s good for children to know both of their parents. This gives the child a sense of identity.

Family ties
Every child has the right to a relationship with both parents. The child may come to know both sides of the family. This can give the child a sense of belonging.

Financial support
The law requires both parents to support their children. Parents can share the cost of raising their child, even if they don’t live together. Children are more likely to have their needs met when both parents give financial support.

Benefits
A child has a right to benefits from both parents. These can include:

• Health and life insurance
• Social Security
• Pensions
• Inheritance rights
• Veterans’ benefits

Benefits are very important if a parent dies or becomes disabled.

Medical information
Knowing the medical histories of both biological parents can be important if the family has any health problems.

How is parentage established?
Married parents: If parents are married to each other when a child is born or when the mother became pregnant, the mother’s spouse is the child’s legal parent. Married parents who have used assisted reproduction, not involving surrogacy, can also secure legal parentage by signing an Affidavit of Parentage.

Unmarried parents: Parents who are not married to each other, whether they are the opposite sex or the same sex, must do something to establish parentage. These parents can establish parentage through:

• Voluntary acknowledgment by signing an Affidavit of Parentage; or
• The local family court. For a man who may be the biological father, this usually involves DNA paternity testing (also referred to as genetic testing).

Parents who have used assisted reproduction, not involving surrogacy, can establish parentage in the ways listed above.

Where can parents get the Affidavit form needed to establish parentage?

Parents can get the Affidavit of Parentage:

• In the hospital at the time of the child’s birth. The second parent’s name may be added to the birth record free of charge up until the time the hospital files the birth certificate.
  Note: Parentage can still be established at a later date for no charge, but a fee is required to add the second parent’s name to the birth certificate.

• At your local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) office.
• At the local county Registrar’s Office.
• By printing it from this link: Affidavit of Parentage.

Both parents must have a valid photo identification, and the completed Affidavit must be signed in front of a qualified witness or Notary Public.

Once signed, the Affidavit of Parentage must be filed with the State Vital Records office to become effective. Instructions for mailing the form as well as other important instructions are on the back of the form.