Who The Father Is On Paper
A.R.S. 25-812 — sixty days to rescind, then only fraud, duress or mistake
In Arizona, a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, signed by both parents and notarized or witnessed, is a determination of paternity with the same force and effect as a superior court judgment. Before signing, the parties are given notice of the alternatives, the legal consequences, and the rights and responsibilities that come with it.
Sixty days to rescind. The mother or the father may rescind within the earlier of sixty days after the last signature is affixed to the filed acknowledgment, or the date of a proceeding relating to the child, including a child support proceeding, in which that parent is a party. The rescission is in writing and filed with the department of economic security.
After that, three grounds. After the sixty day period, the acknowledgment may be challenged only on the basis of fraud, duress or material mistake of fact, with the burden of proof on the challenger, and child support obligations are not suspended during the challenge except for good cause shown.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionA name on the form is just paperwork | What the law actually doesIt has the same force and effect as a superior court judgment |
| The assumptionIt can be undone whenever a test comes back | What the law actually doesAfter the sixty day period, only for fraud, duress or material mistake of fact |
Paternity cases in court, genetic testing orders, custody and support amounts are not all on this page. Whether a particular acknowledgment can still be undone is a question for a licensed Arizona attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- A.R.S. 25-812 — Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity; action to overcome paternity
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Arizona attorney.