Establishment of Paternity or Support Order
In Oregon, paternity may be established for a child born in Oregon, if both parents sign a joint acknowledgment of paternity before a notary public and file it with the Oregon Department of Vital Statistics with the proper fee. If both parents do not agree to paternity, our office may be able to initiate a paternity action. If the other parent responds and properly objects, genetic testing may be done. If the testing confirms parentage, the court or agency may enter a child support order. If the child was conceived or born outside of Oregon and one parent lives elsewhere, it may be necessary to begin formal legal proceedings to another state to ask that state to establish paternity or a support order. After an application for services is received, a party will be sent paperwork to complete and return. The information provided will assist our office in the establishment of a paternity and support order.
If the paternity of your child was already established, for example, paternity was already acknowledged, or the child was born during a lawful marriage under certain conditions, it may only be necessary to establish a support order. Our office will compute the support amount and serve a notice on both parents advising them of the amount. If either party objects, a hearing before an administrative law judge will be held. After an order is issued, it is filed with the court and subject to enforcement. After your application for services is received, an applicant will be sent paperwork to complete and return. The information you provide will assist our office in the establishment of a support order.
