Acknowledgement of Parentage Act

If the identity of the parent is uncontested, parents may circumvent the process of establishing paternity with testing by establishing paternity under the Acknowledgement of Parentage Act, MCL 722.1001 et. seq.

Process for Establishing Uncontested Paternity

Following the birth of the child, the parents may jointly sign an Affidavit of Parentage form, acknowledging and therefore establishing that both are the legal parents of the child. The Affidavit effectively grants custody to the mother until either parent takes some action within the legal system to determine a specific custody and parenting time arrangement.

Unlike an action which proceeds under the Paternity Act, signing an Affidavit of Parentage does not result in an open court case, and will not result in any formal order regarding custody, parenting time, or child support. If either parent desires to initiate a court case for the establishment of such orders, they would need to initiate a custody or support action with the court.