SECTION 55.402. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Acknowledgment of Paternity form--An agreement affirming parentage for a child signed by both the man claiming to be the biological father and the mother, that is executed on a form prescribed by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Unit. The mother and the father may sign separate acknowledgments before or after the birth of the child.

(2) Denial of Paternity form--A statement executed by a presumed father denying parentage of the child of whom he is presumed to be the father, on a form prescribed by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Unit.

(3) Rescission of Acknowledgment of Paternity form--A statement executed by a signatory rescinding an Acknowledgment of Paternity or Denial of Paternity, on a form prescribed by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Unit.

(4) Certified entity--An agency, organization, or individual that is certified by the Office of the Attorney General to perform voluntary paternity establishment services. The certified entity must comply with all rules established for such certification.

(5) Presumed father--A man who is legally assumed to be the father of a child because he meets the criteria found under Texas Family Code §160.204.

(6) Parent Survey on the Acknowledgment of Paternity--A form promulgated by the Office of the Attorney General to assist parents and the certified entity in the completion of the Acknowledgment of Paternity.

Source Note: The provisions of this §55.402 adopted to be effective April 23, 2000, 25 TexReg 3232; amended to be effective July 25, 2002, 27 TexReg 6501; amended to be effective March 5, 2008, 33 TexReg 1761; amended to be effective September 7, 2011, 36 TexReg 5665