Paternity Fraud: What It Is and What to Do
Published February 9, 2026 · Medically reviewed by the partner laboratory's medical director, AABB-accredited relationship-testing laboratory
Paternity fraud is the intentional misrepresentation of a child's biological father, often resulting in child support obligations from a non-biological father. Most states allow disestablishment of paternity within a limited window (often 2 years from becoming aware) using AABB-accredited DNA evidence. A $99 home test is the usual first step; a $249 legal test is required for court.
Establishing the facts
Start with a $99 home DNA test for personal certainty. If the result excludes you as the biological father, and you want to pursue legal action, upgrade to the $249 chain-of-custody legal test for admissible court evidence.
Ready to move forward? Order our $99 at-home test — AABB-accredited, results in 1–2 business days.
State-by-state remedies
Most states allow paternity to be disestablished within a defined window after learning of the deception. Some states are stricter than others. Consult a family law attorney familiar with your state's rules.
Emotional weight
Paternity fraud is deeply painful. Whether you continue a relationship with the child is a separate question from the legal one. Many men choose to remain in the child's life while disestablishing legal obligations. That choice is yours.