What Does It Mean to Establish Paternity in Indiana?
May 23, 2025

As someone who works closely with families, we’ve met many parents who are navigating questions about paternity. It’s a topic that often feels overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with how the legal system works. In Indiana, establishing paternity is more than just naming someone as a father—it plays a big role in things like parenting time, custody, and child support.


This post is written by a non-attorney and is not intended to be legal advice. If you have specific questions about your rights or situation, you should talk to an attorney who practices family law in Indiana.

What Is Paternity?

Paternity is the legal identification of a child’s father. When paternity is established, it gives the father legal rights and responsibilities related to the child. In Indiana, if a child is born to unmarried parents, paternity does not happen automatically—even if the father is present at the birth or listed on the birth certificate. 


Why Is Establishing Paternity Important?

Establishing paternity benefits everyone—especially the child. It can:

  • Give the child access to financial support (like child support)
  • Open the door for the father to request parenting time or custody
  • Allow the child to receive inheritance, Social Security, or veteran’s benefits
  • Help the child form a relationship with both parents

From a parent’s point of view, it also creates a clear path for discussing responsibilities and parenting roles. 


How Can Paternity Be Established in Indiana?


There are a few different ways paternity can be legally established:


1. Voluntary Acknowledgment

This is often the simplest way. If both parents agree on who the father is, they can sign a Paternity Affidavit form at the hospital when the baby is born, or later at the local health department. This form gives the father legal status. 


➡️ Important: Once this form is signed and submitted, it can be very hard to undo later. That’s why both parents should be sure before signing.


2. Court Order

If there’s disagreement or uncertainty about paternity, either parent (or the state) can file a case in court. Click here to go to the sample documents provided by the Indiana Legal Help Site. The court may order DNA testing. If the results confirm paternity, the court can issue an order naming the father.

This process can also begin as part of a case about child support, custody, or parenting time. 


What Happens After Paternity Is Established?

Once legal paternity is in place, the father can ask the court for parenting time or custody. In Indiana, parenting time and legal custody are separate issues, and both parents may have different ideas about what is best for the child.


Establishing paternity is just the beginning of that process. It gives the court the authority to make decisions about what happens next. If both parents can agree on a plan, great! If not, the court may be involved to help decide.

 


Final Thoughts

Paternity matters—not just for legal reasons, but because children benefit from having relationships with both parents when it’s safe and healthy to do so.


If you're unsure where to start, talk to someone familiar with Indiana’s process. You can contact your local health department, the Department of Child Services, or a qualified family law attorney.



At Hope For Our Future, LLC, we work with parents from all walks of life who want to support their children and build healthy parenting relationships. If you're navigating co-parenting or custody issues after paternity is established, mediation can be a helpful tool to create workable, child-focused solutions.


This post was written by Chelle Hendershot, who is a dedicated Mediator, Guardian ad Litem, and Parenting Coordinator at Hope For Our Future, LLC, with a passion for helping individuals and families navigate through life's most challenging moments. This post is not intended to be legal advice and is for marketing purposes only.

 

Copyright © 2025 Hope For Our Future, LLC. All rights reserved. This blog post may be shared, copied, and distributed in its entirety for non-commercial purposes, provided that proper attribution is given, and no modifications are made to the original work.


Photo credit: 4437749 Orangeline Dreamstime.com

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