Who The Father Is On Paper
G.L. c. 209C, § 11 — 60 days to rescind, and one year to challenge
In Massachusetts, a written voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, attested before a notary and filed with the registrar of vital records or the court, is a sufficient basis for an order of support, visitation or custody without further proceedings to establish parentage.
60 days to rescind. Unless a signer rescinds within 60 days of signing, by filing a notarized rescission with the department of public health or a petition in the probate and family court with notice to the other parent, the acknowledgment establishes parentage as of the date signed, with the force of a judgment. A signer who is a party to a proceeding about the child within that period and does not rescind then loses the rest of the period.
One year, on three grounds. After that, the acknowledgment is subject to challenge within one year, only on the basis of fraud, duress or material mistake of fact, and a signer's responsibilities continue during a challenge unless the court orders otherwise for good cause shown.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionThe 60 days always run in full | What the law actually doesNot for a signer who is a party to a proceeding about the child and does not rescind then |
| The assumptionAn acknowledgment can be challenged for years | What the law actually doesWithin one year, and only on three grounds |
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 Massachusetts attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.L. c. 209C, § 11 — Acknowledgment of parentage; approval; parental agreements regarding custody, support and visitation
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.