How to Establish Paternity in Maine
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Maine · Last updated 2026-09-12
In Maine, establishing paternity, which the law calls establishing parentage, means legally identifying a child's parent so the child gains rights to support, custody and contact, health coverage, inheritance, and benefits. It is governed by the Maine Parentage Act, Title 19-A M.R.S. chapter 61, which is gender-neutral. There are two main paths. Unmarried parents who agree can sign an Acknowledgment of Parentage, form VS27-A, filed with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861). When parents do not agree, a court adjudicates parentage. Maine's timing rules are load-bearing and differ from older paternity law. There is no age-based cutoff on a child's own action; nothing in the Act limits the right of a child to bring an action to adjudicate parentage (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1855). A person is presumed to be a parent if married to the person who gave birth and the child is born during the marriage or within 300 days after it ends (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1881), and a proceeding to challenge that presumed parentage must generally be commenced within two years of the child's birth (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1882). Genetic testing identifies a genetic parent when it shows at least a 99 percent probability of parentage, using a prior probability of 0.50, and a paternity index of at least 100 to 1 (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1904). Attorney review of your situation is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Maine
Where are you in establishing paternity?
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How is paternity established in Maine?
Maine calls it establishing parentage under the Maine Parentage Act. Unmarried parents who agree can sign an Acknowledgment of Parentage, form VS27-A, filed with the Department of Health and Human Services (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861). If parents disagree, a court adjudicates parentage, often after ordering genetic testing.
How long do I have to establish paternity in Maine?
There is no age-based cutoff on a child's own action. Nothing in the Maine Parentage Act limits the right of a child to bring an action to adjudicate parentage (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1855). The main hard deadline is the two-year window to challenge a presumed parent (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1882).
What is the marital presumption of parentage in Maine?
Under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1881, a person is presumed to be a parent if married to the person who gave birth and the child is born during the marriage or within 300 days after it is terminated. A proceeding to challenge that presumed parentage must generally be commenced within two years of the child's birth (section 1882).
What genetic-testing result establishes paternity in Maine?
Under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1904, genetic testing identifies a genetic parent when it shows at least a 99 percent probability of parentage, using a prior probability of 0.50, and a paternity index of at least 100 to 1. Identification alone does not establish parentage without an adjudication or acknowledgment.
Maine parentage law at a glance
Maine uses the gender-neutral Maine Parentage Act, Title 19-A M.R.S. chapter 61. Unmarried parents who agree can establish parentage without court by signing an Acknowledgment of Parentage, form VS27-A, filed with the Department of Health and Human Services (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861). There is no age-based cutoff on a child's own action to adjudicate parentage (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1855). A person married to the one who gave birth is a presumed parent when the child is born during the marriage or within 300 days after it ends (section 1881), and a challenge to that presumed parentage must generally be commenced within two years of birth (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1882). Genetic testing identifies a genetic parent at a 99 percent probability of parentage, using a prior probability of 0.50, with a paternity index of at least 100 to 1 (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1904).
Establishing Maine parentage for a child born to unmarried parents
Suppose a child is born in Maine to unmarried parents who agree on the parent. At the hospital both sign the Acknowledgment of Parentage, form VS27-A, filed with the Department of Health and Human Services, which has the effect of an adjudication (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861). Either signer can still rescind within the federal 60-day window. If the parents disputed parentage, either could ask a court to adjudicate it; a child's own action has no age-based deadline (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1855). The court could order genetic testing, which identifies a genetic parent at a 99 percent probability of parentage and a paternity index of at least 100 to 1 (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1904). Had the person who gave birth been married, the spouse would be a presumed parent, challengeable within two years of birth (sections 1881, 1882). Attorney review is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1855 (no limitation on a child's action)
Provides that nothing in the subchapter limits the right of a child to bring an action to adjudicate parentage, so there is no age-based statute of limitations on the child's own parentage action.
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1881 (presumption of parentage)
Provides that a person is presumed to be a parent if married to the person who gave birth and the child is born during the marriage or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated, among other presumptions such as holding the child out as one's own for at least two years.
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1882 (challenge to presumption of parentage)
Provides that a proceeding to challenge the parentage of an individual whose parentage is presumed under section 1881 must be commenced not later than two years after the birth of the child, subject to narrow exceptions.
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1904 (genetic testing results)
Provides that genetic testing identifies a genetic parent when it shows at least a 99 percent probability of parentage, using a prior probability of 0.50, and a paternity index of at least 100 to 1.
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861 (acknowledgment of parentage)
Governs the Acknowledgment of Parentage by which parents may establish a parent-child relationship, executed on the state form and filed with the Department of Health and Human Services.
Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Child Support Services
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, through the Office for Family Independence and its Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery, administers the Acknowledgment of Parentage, form VS27-A, and helps parents establish parentage and support.
Regional Variances
Maine parentage rules at a glance
Voluntary path and form
Unmarried parents establish parentage by signing an Acknowledgment of Parentage, form VS27-A, filed with the Department of Health and Human Services (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861).
Rescission window
Either signer may rescind an Acknowledgment of Parentage within the federal 60-day window; after that it can be challenged only on narrow grounds such as fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact.
Marital presumption
A person married to the one who gave birth is presumed a parent when the child is born during the marriage or within 300 days after it ends (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1881).
Deadlines
A child's own action has no age-based cutoff (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1855), while a challenge to a presumed parent must generally be commenced within two years of birth (section 1882).
Genetic-testing threshold
Genetic testing identifies a genetic parent at a 99 percent probability of parentage, using a prior probability of 0.50, with a paternity index of at least 100 to 1 (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1904).
Who administers it
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services administers parentage establishment and support; contested parentage is adjudicated by the courts under the Maine Parentage Act, which may order genetic testing.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Confirm whether a presumption of parentage applies
Before signing or filing anything days after startingDetermine whether a person was married to the one who gave birth when the child was born or within 300 days before the birth, which triggers Maine's presumption of parentage (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1881). A challenge to that presumed parentage generally must be brought within two years of birth (section 1882).
Get genetic testing if genetic parentage is uncertain
Before signing an acknowledgment days after startingBecause an acknowledgment has the effect of an adjudication, obtain genetic testing first if there is any doubt. Under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1904, testing identifies a genetic parent at a 99 percent probability of parentage, using a prior probability of 0.50, with a paternity index of at least 100 to 1.
Sign and file the Acknowledgment of Parentage
At the hospital or through DHHS days after startingUnmarried parents who agree sign the Acknowledgment of Parentage, form VS27-A, filed with the Department of Health and Human Services (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861). Keep a copy. Attorney review of your parentage 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 acknowledgment, rescind it within the federal 60-day window. After that, it can be challenged in court only on narrow grounds such as fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact, generally within two years.
Ask a court to adjudicate parentage if parents disagree
Child's action has no age cutoff days after startingIf parents do not agree, start a proceeding to adjudicate parentage under the Maine Parentage Act. A child's own action has no age-based deadline (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1855), while a challenge to a presumed parent generally must be brought within two years of birth (section 1882). The court can order genetic testing.
Keep records of the acknowledgment, testing, and orders
Ongoing days after startingSave copies of the acknowledgment, any genetic-test results, and court papers, and calendar the two-year window to challenge a presumed parent (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1882) and the federal 60-day rescission window so you do not miss a right-forfeiting date.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm whether a presumption of parentage applies | Determine whether a person was married to the one who gave birth when the child was born or within 300 days before the birth, which triggers Maine's presumption of parentage (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1881). A challenge to that presumed parentage generally must be brought within two years of birth (section 1882). | - | Before signing or filing anything |
| Get genetic testing if genetic parentage is uncertain | Because an acknowledgment has the effect of an adjudication, obtain genetic testing first if there is any doubt. Under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1904, testing identifies a genetic parent at a 99 percent probability of parentage, using a prior probability of 0.50, with a paternity index of at least 100 to 1. | - | Before signing an acknowledgment |
| Sign and file the Acknowledgment of Parentage | Unmarried parents who agree sign the Acknowledgment of Parentage, form VS27-A, filed with the Department of Health and Human Services (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861). Keep a copy. Attorney review of your parentage matter is available through DocDraft. | - | At the hospital or through DHHS |
| Track the federal 60-day rescission window | If you need to cancel a signed acknowledgment, rescind it within the federal 60-day window. After that, it can be challenged in court only on narrow grounds such as fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact, generally within two years. | - | Within 60 days of signing |
| Ask a court to adjudicate parentage if parents disagree | If parents do not agree, start a proceeding to adjudicate parentage under the Maine Parentage Act. A child's own action has no age-based deadline (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1855), while a challenge to a presumed parent generally must be brought within two years of birth (section 1882). The court can order genetic testing. | - | Child's action has no age cutoff |
| Keep records of the acknowledgment, testing, and orders | Save copies of the acknowledgment, any genetic-test results, and court papers, and calendar the two-year window to challenge a presumed parent (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1882) and the federal 60-day rescission window so you do not miss a right-forfeiting date. | - | Ongoing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Establishing paternity in Maine, which the law calls establishing parentage, means legally identifying a child's parent so the child can receive support, custody and contact, health coverage, inheritance, and benefits. It is governed by the Maine Parentage Act and can be done by acknowledgment or by a court adjudication (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861).
Unmarried parents who agree can sign an Acknowledgment of Parentage, form VS27-A, filed with the Department of Health and Human Services (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861). If parents disagree, a court adjudicates parentage under the Maine Parentage Act, often after ordering genetic testing (section 1904).
It is form VS27-A, a sworn statement unmarried parents sign to establish a legal parent-child relationship without court (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1861). Once effective it has the force of an adjudication of parentage. Hospitals must provide the form and information about it to unmarried parents at birth.
A proceeding to challenge the parentage of a presumed parent under section 1881 must generally be commenced within two years of the child's birth (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1882). Narrow exceptions extend that for a presumed parent who did not know of the birth or a genetic parent kept unaware by concealment.
There is no age-based cutoff on a child's own action; nothing in the Maine Parentage Act limits a child's right to bring an action to adjudicate parentage (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1855). The main hard deadline is the two-year window to challenge a presumed parent (section 1882).
Under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, 1904, genetic testing identifies a genetic parent when it shows at least a 99 percent probability of parentage, using a prior probability of 0.50, and a paternity index of at least 100 to 1. Identification is used in an adjudication rather than establishing parentage by itself.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, through the Office for Family Independence and its Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery, handles parentage and child support and receives the Acknowledgment of Parentage. Contested parentage is adjudicated by the courts under the Maine Parentage Act, which may order genetic testing.
Yes, within a limited window. Either signer may rescind an Acknowledgment of Parentage within the federal 60-day rescission window. After that, it can be challenged in court only on narrow grounds such as fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact, so a later doubt may not be enough to undo it.
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