Paternity is legal fatherhood—and establishing it is one of the most important steps in the child custody and support processes. A man is generally presumed to be the father of children born to his wife during their marriage. For unmarried parents, the biological father does not have legal rights to his child until paternity is established. Paternity may be established through a court-ordered paternity test, or by the father signing an acknowledgment of paternity (AOP).

In a case of mistaken paternity, a man who believes he is not the father of the child may file a petition (lawsuit), and the court may generally terminate the parent-child relationship and the man’s obligation to pay child support upon proof through genetic testing that he is not the father of the child.

The process of adding a father to a birth certificate is an important issue related to paternity.

In Georgia, paternity establishes legal fatherhood and is crucial for child custody and support matters. When a child is born within a marriage, the husband is presumed to be the father. For children born to unmarried parents, the biological father has no legal rights until paternity is established. Paternity can be confirmed either by the father signing a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) or through a court-ordered DNA test. If a man has reason to dispute paternity, he can file a petition with the court. If genetic testing proves he is not the biological father, the court may terminate his parental rights and obligations, including child support. To add a father's name to a birth certificate in Georgia, paternity must be established if the parents are unmarried. This process solidifies the legal relationship between the father and the child and can have significant implications for both parties.