Paternity is increasingly easier to establish due the advancement of technology via DNA testing. It can be done quickly and painlessly through DNA comparison of a swab sample of the cells from inside the father’s and child’s cheeks. A blood test can also be used to prove paternity.
Additional evidence can also be introduced to help establish paternity, such as:
- Testimony about sexual relations between the parties.
- Evidence of an intimate relationship between the parties during pregnancy.
- The designation of the father on the birth certificate.
- Reference by the alleged father in postcards, etc. to the child as the child’s “daddy.”
- The provision of gifts by the alleged father to the child.
In some instances under California law, a non-biological parent (even of the same sex) may be legally declared to be the child’s parent with responsibility for child support.