Paternity in New York may be established in one of two ways.  First, both parents can sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity form. Second, a biological parent can file a petition to establish paternity and the court will issue an Order of Filiation.  It is important to establish paternity, so the biological father becomes the legal father.  This creates rights for both the father and the child such as custody and visitation.  In addition, the child will be treated the same as a child born to married parents and entitled to benefits such as:

• Health Insurance coverage;
• Child support.
• Social Security; and
• Veterans Benefits.
• Inheritance rights.