How to Establish Paternity in Iowa
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Iowa · Last updated 2026-09-12
In Iowa, establishing paternity means legally identifying a child's father so the child gains rights to support, custody and visitation, health coverage, inheritance, and benefits. There are two main paths. Unmarried parents who agree can sign a paternity affidavit, Form 588-0037, administered through the Child Support Recovery Unit and filed with the Bureau of Vital Records. When parents do not agree, a court decides parentage under Iowa Code chapter 600B. Iowa's timing rule is load-bearing. An action to establish paternity and support may be brought within the time limits set by Iowa Code section 614.8, which tolls the deadline for minors and gives one year after the child reaches the age of majority, which is 18 in Iowa, to bring the action (Iowa Code 600B.33, 614.8). Where the mother was married, paternity is established by operation of law, and that established paternity can be overcome only by an action filed before the child reaches majority, supported by genetic testing (Iowa Code 600B.41A). Genetic test results showing a probability of 95 percent or higher create a rebuttable presumption of paternity, rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence (Iowa Code 600B.41). Attorney review of your situation is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Iowa
Where are you in establishing paternity?
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How is paternity established in Iowa?
There are two routes. Unmarried parents who agree can sign a paternity affidavit, Form 588-0037, filed with the Bureau of Vital Records through the Child Support Recovery Unit. If parents disagree, a court decides parentage under Iowa Code chapter 600B, often after ordering genetic testing.
How long do I have to establish paternity in Iowa?
An action to establish paternity and support may be brought within the time limits set by Iowa Code section 614.8. Because that section tolls deadlines for minors, the action can be brought before the child reaches majority and up to one year after the child reaches the age of majority, which is 18 in Iowa (Iowa Code 600B.33, 614.8).
What is the marital presumption of paternity in Iowa?
When the mother was married at conception, birth, or in between, paternity is established by operation of law due to the marriage. That established paternity can be overcome only by an action filed before the child reaches majority, supported by genetic testing showing the established father is not the biological father (Iowa Code 600B.41A).
What genetic-testing result establishes paternity in Iowa?
Under Iowa Code 600B.41, if genetic testing shows the alleged father is not excluded and the probability of paternity is 95 percent or higher, there is a rebuttable presumption that he is the father. That presumption can be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence, and a challenge must be filed within 20 days of the expert report.
Iowa paternity law at a glance
Iowa lets unmarried parents establish paternity without court by signing a paternity affidavit, Form 588-0037, filed with the Bureau of Vital Records. When parentage is disputed, Iowa Code chapter 600B governs. Iowa ties its deadline to the minor-tolling rule: an action to establish paternity and support may be brought within the time limits of Iowa Code section 614.8, which gives one year after the child reaches the age of majority, 18 in Iowa, to bring the action (Iowa Code 600B.33, 614.8). Where the mother was married, paternity is established by operation of law, and that established paternity can be overcome only by an action filed before the child reaches majority, supported by genetic testing (Iowa Code 600B.41A). Genetic test results showing a probability of 95 percent or higher create a rebuttable presumption of paternity, rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence (Iowa Code 600B.41).
Establishing Iowa paternity for a child born to unmarried parents
Suppose a child is born in Iowa to unmarried parents who agree on the father. At the hospital both sign the Paternity Affidavit, Form 588-0037, filed with the Bureau of Vital Records, which establishes the father-child relationship. Either parent can still rescind within the federal 60-day window. If the parents disputed parentage, either could file a paternity and support action under Iowa Code chapter 600B, which may be brought up to one year after the child reaches the age of majority, 18 in Iowa (Iowa Code 600B.33, 614.8). The court could order genetic testing, where a probability of 95 percent or higher creates a rebuttable presumption, challengeable within 20 days of the expert report (Iowa Code 600B.41). Had the mother been married, paternity would be established by operation of law, overcome only by an action filed before the child reaches majority (Iowa Code 600B.41A). Attorney review is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Iowa Code 600B.33 (limitation of paternity actions)
Provides that an action to establish paternity and support under chapter 600B may be brought within the time limitations set forth in Iowa Code section 614.8.
Iowa Code 614.8 (limitations extended for minors)
Extends the times limited for actions in favor of minors so that they have one year from and after attainment of majority within which to commence an action, which sets the outer deadline for a paternity action.
Iowa Code 600B.41 (genetic testing and the 95 percent presumption)
Provides that if genetic testing shows the alleged father is not excluded and the probability of paternity is 95 percent or higher, there is a rebuttable presumption of paternity, which can be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence, with a challenge filed within 20 days of the expert report.
Iowa Code 600B.41A (overcoming established paternity)
Applies to overcoming paternity established by an enumerated method or by operation of law due to the father's marriage to the mother, and requires that the action to overcome paternity be filed before the child reaches majority.
Iowa Health and Human Services, Child Support Services
Iowa Child Support Services, through the Child Support Recovery Unit, administers the Paternity Affidavit, Form 588-0037, which is filed with the Bureau of Vital Records to establish paternity for unmarried parents.
Regional Variances
Iowa paternity rules at a glance
Voluntary path and form
Unmarried parents establish paternity by signing the Paternity Affidavit, Form 588-0037, administered through the Child Support Recovery Unit and filed with the Bureau of Vital Records.
Rescission window
A signed paternity affidavit can be rescinded consistent with the federal 60-day rescission rule; after that it can be challenged only for fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact.
Marital presumption
Where the mother was married, paternity is established by operation of law, and that established paternity can be overcome only by an action filed before the child reaches majority (Iowa Code 600B.41A).
Deadline to establish
An action may be brought within the limits of Iowa Code section 614.8, up to one year after the child reaches the age of majority, 18 in Iowa (Iowa Code 600B.33, 614.8).
Genetic-testing threshold
A probability of paternity of 95 percent or higher creates a rebuttable presumption, rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence, with results challenged within 20 days (Iowa Code 600B.41).
Who administers it
Iowa Child Support Services and its Child Support Recovery Unit administer the affidavit and support; disputed parentage is decided by a court under Iowa Code chapter 600B, which may order genetic testing.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Confirm whether paternity is established by marriage
Before signing or filing anything days after startingDetermine whether the mother was married at conception, birth, or in between, which establishes paternity by operation of law. Overcoming that established paternity requires an action filed before the child reaches majority, supported by genetic testing (Iowa Code 600B.41A).
Get genetic testing if biological parentage is uncertain
Before signing an affidavit days after startingBecause the affidavit carries the duties of parentage, obtain genetic testing first if there is any doubt. Under Iowa Code 600B.41, a probability of 95 percent or higher creates a rebuttable presumption that the man is the father.
Sign and file the paternity affidavit
At the hospital or through Child Support Recovery days after startingUnmarried parents who agree sign the Paternity Affidavit, Form 588-0037, filed with the Bureau of Vital Records. Keep a copy. Attorney review of your paternity matter is available through DocDraft.
Track the federal 60-day rescission window
Within 60 days of signing days after startingIf you need to cancel a signed affidavit, use Iowa's rescission process within the federal 60-day window. After that, the affidavit can be challenged only for fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact.
File a paternity action if parents disagree
Up to one year after the child reaches majority days after startingIf parents do not agree, file a paternity and support action under Iowa Code chapter 600B within the limits of section 614.8 (Iowa Code 600B.33). The court can order genetic testing, and results creating the 95 percent presumption must be challenged within 20 days (Iowa Code 600B.41).
Keep records of the affidavit, testing, and orders
Ongoing days after startingSave copies of the affidavit, any genetic-test results, and court papers, and calendar the one-year-after-majority window (Iowa Code 600B.33, 614.8), the 20-day challenge window (Iowa Code 600B.41), and the federal 60-day rescission window so you do not miss a right-forfeiting date.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm whether paternity is established by marriage | Determine whether the mother was married at conception, birth, or in between, which establishes paternity by operation of law. Overcoming that established paternity requires an action filed before the child reaches majority, supported by genetic testing (Iowa Code 600B.41A). | - | Before signing or filing anything |
| Get genetic testing if biological parentage is uncertain | Because the affidavit carries the duties of parentage, obtain genetic testing first if there is any doubt. Under Iowa Code 600B.41, a probability of 95 percent or higher creates a rebuttable presumption that the man is the father. | - | Before signing an affidavit |
| Sign and file the paternity affidavit | Unmarried parents who agree sign the Paternity Affidavit, Form 588-0037, filed with the Bureau of Vital Records. Keep a copy. Attorney review of your paternity matter is available through DocDraft. | - | At the hospital or through Child Support Recovery |
| Track the federal 60-day rescission window | If you need to cancel a signed affidavit, use Iowa's rescission process within the federal 60-day window. After that, the affidavit can be challenged only for fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. | - | Within 60 days of signing |
| File a paternity action if parents disagree | If parents do not agree, file a paternity and support action under Iowa Code chapter 600B within the limits of section 614.8 (Iowa Code 600B.33). The court can order genetic testing, and results creating the 95 percent presumption must be challenged within 20 days (Iowa Code 600B.41). | - | Up to one year after the child reaches majority |
| Keep records of the affidavit, testing, and orders | Save copies of the affidavit, any genetic-test results, and court papers, and calendar the one-year-after-majority window (Iowa Code 600B.33, 614.8), the 20-day challenge window (Iowa Code 600B.41), and the federal 60-day rescission window so you do not miss a right-forfeiting date. | - | Ongoing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Establishing paternity in Iowa means legally identifying a child's father so the child can receive support, custody and visitation, health coverage, inheritance, and benefits. It can be done by signing a paternity affidavit or through a paternity and support action under Iowa Code chapter 600B.
Unmarried parents who agree can sign the Paternity Affidavit, Form 588-0037, filed with the Bureau of Vital Records through the Child Support Recovery Unit. If parents disagree, a court determines parentage under Iowa Code chapter 600B, often after ordering genetic testing (Iowa Code 600B.41).
It is Form 588-0037, the form Iowa designates for unmarried parents to establish a legal father-child relationship without court. It is usually available at the hospital after birth and, once completed and filed with the Bureau of Vital Records, legally establishes paternity.
Yes, within limits. Where paternity was established by marriage or another method, Iowa Code 600B.41A allows an action to overcome it only if filed before the child reaches majority, with genetic testing showing the established father is not the biological father, plus guardian ad litem and best-interest safeguards the court applies.
Yes. An action to establish paternity and support may be brought within the limits of Iowa Code section 614.8, which tolls for minors, allowing the action up to one year after the child reaches the age of majority, which is 18 in Iowa (Iowa Code 600B.33, 614.8).
Under Iowa Code 600B.41, if the probability of the alleged father's paternity is 95 percent or higher, there is a rebuttable presumption that he is the father. That presumption can be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence, and results must be challenged within 20 days of the expert report.
Iowa Health and Human Services, through Iowa Child Support Services and its Child Support Recovery Unit, administers the paternity affidavit and can help establish paternity and support. The signed affidavit is filed with the Bureau of Vital Records, and disputed parentage is decided by a court under Iowa Code chapter 600B.
Yes, within a limited window. Iowa provides a rescission process for a signed paternity affidavit consistent with the federal 60-day rescission rule. After that window, the affidavit can be challenged only for fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact, so act promptly if you have doubts.
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