Establishing parentage will provide a child of unmarried parents the same legal rights as a child born to married parents. Once parentage is legally established, children are entitled to the following:
- Financial support
- Access to family medical history
- Inheritance rights
- Medical and life insurance benefits
- Social Security benefit
Parentage
Parentage is the recognition of a parent’s legal relationship to a child.
Parentage can be established by a court order or may already be established if the parents were married.
Parentage could also be established free of charge without a court order and without opening a case with DCSS through the Parentage Opportunity Program (POP). See https://childsupport.ca.gov/establishing-legal-parentage/ for more information on completing and filing a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage through POP.
If parentage has not been established, we can help you take the necessary steps to establish parentage.
Genetic testing
Either parent or the local child support agency can request a genetic test if biological proof of paternity is wanted before a man is named the legal father.
Establishing a support order
Once parentage (legal parenthood) has been established, we can help you get a child support order.
The State of California uses “Child Support Guidelines” to determine the amount of financial support to be paid. California Child Support Guidelines considers the income, and certain expenses, of both parents and determines the amount of support that should be paid.
Both parents are responsible for the support of their child(ren). It is important you provide us with your most recent address, employer, income and expense information, and the amount of time you spend with your child(ren).
If you have an existing support order that includes child support or medical support, we can help you establish a case and have your existing order enforced.
Additional information on establishing parentage for children born outside of the United States can be found under the intergovernmental page.
Child support calculations
You may obtain an estimated amount of child support that may be ordered in your case by using the Guideline Calculator.
