Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
A. For the purposes of this title, paternity of a child born out of wedlock shall be established by clear and convincing evidence, and such evidence may include the following:
1. That he cohabited openly with the mother during all of the 10 months immediately prior to the time the child was born;
2. That he gave consent to a physician or other person, not including the mother, charged with the responsibility of securing information for the preparation of a birth record that his name be used as the father of the child upon the birth record of the child;
3. That he allowed by a general course of conduct the common use of his surname by the child;
4. That he claimed the child as his child on any statement, tax return, or other document filed and signed by him with any local, state, or federal government or any agency thereof;
5. That he admitted before any court having jurisdiction to determine his paternity that he is the father of the child;
6. That he voluntarily admitted paternity in writing under oath;
7. The results of scientifically reliable genetic tests, including DNA tests, weighted with all the evidence; or
8. Other medical, scientific, or anthropological evidence relating to the alleged parentage of the child based on tests performed by experts.
B. A judgment establishing a father's paternity made by a court having jurisdiction to determine his paternity is sufficient evidence of paternity for the purposes of this section.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Virginia Code Title 64.2. Wills, Trusts, and Fiduciaries § 64.2-103. Evidence of paternity - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/va/title-64-2-wills-trusts-and-fiduciaries/va-code-sect-64-2-103/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)