Paternity can be established through either a court order or through completing an Affidavit of Parentage form.

Both parents and the child may have to submit to genetic testing, which consists of swabbing the inside of the cheek, to confirm paternity.

At time of birth:

Right after your baby is born, encourage the father to start the paternity process by having his name placed on the birth certificate and signing an Affidavit of Parentage, stating that he is the baby’s father. You can also take the form home with you, complete it, have it notarized and send to the Division of Vital Records.

Contact the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene/Division of Vital Records at 410-764-3182 to request an Affidavit.

If you change your mind:

A person who has signed an Affidavit of Parentage may cancel the Affidavit by completing a Rescission Form in the presence of a notary public within 60 days of the date the Affidavit was  originally signed by both parties.

After 60 day period, the Affidavit can only be nullified by a court order, upon a finding of fraud, duress or material mistake of fact.

Obtain a Rescission Form by calling the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene/Division of Vital Records at 410-764-3182.

If the father is not present:

Your local office of child support enforcement can help prove who the father is. They will need to know his last known address, what he looks like, where he works, his Social Security number and his date of birth.

Once they locate him, they will need to prove that he is your child’s father. If he does not acknowledge the child as his, the court can order a paternity test to determine fatherhood.

Paternity Establishment is Important!

Benefit For Your Child:  These benefits may include social security, veteran’s benefits, health insurance, life insurance and inheritance.

Family Medical History: Knowing the family’s full history of diseases, illnesses and birth defects will help your doctor if your child becomes sick.

Child Support:  A court can’t order child support without legal proof of paternity.

For more information, please call:

• Customer Services Information Line: 1.800.332.6347
• TTY: 1.800.925.4434
• Baltimore City Customer Service only: 410-951-8000
• Automated Customer Service and Payment Information in the Baltimore Metro Area: 410-962-1110
• Outside Baltimore Metro Area: 1-800-723-9937