Establishing Parentage

Parentage is the recognition of a parent’s legal relationship to a child.

Some of the benefits of establishing parentage:

• Legal rights for the parent
• Support (financial and emotional) for the child
• Legal documentation (proof) of parentage
• Family medical history (hereditary conditions, etc.)
• Inheritance rights
• Potential benefits (Medical insurance, Social Security, Veterans)

In California, parentage is legally established:

• By circumstances of marriage
• By filing a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity (VDOP)
• Through the court system
• Genetic (DNA) testing may be available in qualifying cases and is a free service offered as part of parentage establishment.

Learn more about parentage establishment