The 3 ways legal fatherhood can be established

1. Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment
   If both the mother and the man are sure that the man is the father, the easiest way to is with the Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form. The father and the mother may sign a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form after their baby is born.
   
2. Court Ruling
   If a man is named as the possible father and does not agree
   - OR -  if a man states he is the father of a child and the mother does not agree, a the court will make a ruling about paternity. Both the man and the mother will be notified of the hearing, and both should attend.
   
3. Acknowledgment of Marital Child (Legitimation)
   If the mother and the father get married after their child is born, the parents may sign an Acknowledgment of Marital Child form (Legitimation) to establish paternity.

Whichever way is right for you, your local child support agency can help.

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