# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Acknowledgment of Paternity

This is a document that is signed by both a mother and a father of a child in front of a notary that declares the father is the biological parent of the child. When filed with the state, it has the effect of a court order determining paternity—and may only be challenged in limited circumstances. Most commonly, the parties sign this in a hospital as part of putting the father’s name on the birth certificate.