It is important for your baby to know who his or her parents are. In addition, establishing a legal father for your child ensures both your child's rights and your rights as parents.

In Wisconsin, there are several ways to establish legal fatherhood:

• Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment
• Court Order
• Acknowledgment of Marital Child
• Administrative Paternity (NEW administrative process which genetic test results can now be used to conclusively determine paternity). 

If both the mother and the man are 18 or older and are sure that the man is the father, the easiest way to establish paternity is with the Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form. The form may be filed at any time after the baby is born, or parents may ask their local child support agency for assistance. 

If a man is named as the possible father and does not agree, or if a man states that he is the father of a child and the mother doesn't agree, a court hearing will be scheduled. The court will make a decision about paternity. Both the man and the mother will be notified of the hearing and both should attend.

At the hearing, the man's rights and responsibilities will be explained to him. If he wants genetic testing, he should ask the court for genetic tests.

If the man does not appear at the court hearing, the court may still enter a default ruling. The court may name the father even if he is not at the hearing.

• If the mother and the father get married AFTER child is born, the parents may sign an Acknowledgment of Marital Child form to establish paternity.
• Parents can get this form at their local child support agency or from the state Vital Records Office. 

2019 Wisconsin Act 95 administrative paternity was published on February 6, 2020 and is effective August 1, 2020. This creates a new, optional process that establishes a conclusive determination of paternity based exclusively on the results of genetic tests showing that the statistical probability of paternity is 99% or higher, without the requirement for a court action. 

If you would like additional information about paternity establishment, or have questions, please contact the Forest County Child Support Agency at (715) 478-2157, or please contact your local child support agency if you are out of the area.