Rotate Legal Iowa Paternity Forms For Free

In a case to establish paternity, the court may, on its own motion or at the request of a party, require the child, mother, and alleged father to submit to blood or genetic tests. The party requesting testing must file a written motion with the clerk of court and provide copies to the opposing parties.

If the biological father is identified and agrees with the biological mother to be listed on the birth certificate, the parties must first establish paternity through a court of competent jurisdiction. This may be accomplished by submitting a signed Paternity Affidavit to your county courthouse.

Form 588-0037, Paternity Affidavit, may be completed when a child is born or at any time afterward, including after the child reaches majority. There is no age restriction. Often the Paternity Affidavit is completed at the hospital before the mother and child are released.

A father may declare his paternity even before a child is born. To do this, you must file a Declaration of Paternity with the Iowa State Registrar of Vital Statistics. A Declaration can be filed prior to the birth of a child, but no later than the date of the filing of a Petition to Terminate Parental rights.

In Iowa, if a father's name is not on a birth certificate, they will usually not have custodial rights of a parent, absent other action. The exception is if the mother and father are married at the time of birth. If the mother and father are married, Iowa law assumes the husband is the father.

Unmarried parents will receive a paternity affidavit at the hospital or birthing center where the mother gives birth. You can also get a blank paternity affidavit at a local Iowa Child Support office, local County Recorder/Registrar office, BHS, or the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.