Connecticut law authorizes the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters to accept acknowledgments of paternity.  When a putative father is named in a petition and that individual appears before the court, thus submitting to its jurisdiction, the court has authority to accept and make a finding of paternity. 

There are other legal mechanisms for establishing paternity that may guide the process regarding paternity issues.  Questions regarding paternity shall be discussed with the Principal Attorney, Staff Attorney or Assistant Attorney General. 

Any person claiming to be the father of a child born out of wedlock, or named by the mother, who 

·    has not been adjudicated the father by a court of competent jurisdiction

·    has not acknowledged paternity of the child in writing

·    has not contributed regularly to the support of the child, or

·    whose name does not appear in the birth certificate 

shall cease to be a legal party in interest in any proceeding concerning the custody or welfare of the child, including but not limited to guardianship and adoption, unless he has shown a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility for the child’s welfare.  

Any person claiming to be the father of a child born out of wedlock, or named by the mother, who 

·          has not been adjudicated the father by a court of competent jurisdiction

·          has not acknowledged paternity of the child in writing

·          has not contributed regularly to the support of the child, or

·          whose name does not appear in the birth certificate. 

shall cease to be a legal party in interest in any proceeding concerning the custody or welfare of the child, including but not limited to guardianship and adoption, unless he has shown a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility for the child’s welfare.