Who The Father Is On Paper
Fla. Stat. 742.10 — 60 days to rescind, and then only fraud, duress or mistake
In Florida, a notarized voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, or one witnessed by two individuals and signed under penalty of perjury, creates a rebuttable presumption of paternity, and both parents provide their social security numbers. Before signing, the parties are given information on the alternatives, the legal consequences, and the rights and responsibilities.
60 days to rescind. Any signatory may rescind within 60 days after the acknowledgment was signed, or by the date of an administrative or judicial proceeding about the child in which the signatory is a party, including one to establish a support order, whichever is earlier.
After the 60-day period. A signed acknowledgment establishes paternity and may be challenged in court only on the basis of fraud, duress or material mistake of fact, with the burden on the challenger, and child support obligations are not suspended during the challenge except on a finding of good cause.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionThe acknowledgment is just for the birth certificate | What the law actually doesAfter the 60-day period, it constitutes an establishment of paternity |
| The assumptionSupport stops while it is challenged | What the law actually doesNot suspended except on a finding of good cause |
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 Florida attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Fla. Stat. 742.10 — Establishment of paternity for children born out of wedlock
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.