South Carolina Paternity Law

This page about South Carolina paternity laws is provided as general information only. Journey Genetic Testing does not provide legal advice or representation. We encourage you to research your state laws for the most current information, or contact a family law attorney.

Paternity statute 20-7-956

Voluntary Acknowledgment Of Paternity

(4) A verified voluntary acknowledgment of paternity. This acknowledgment creates a rebuttable presumption of the putative father’s paternity except that a verified voluntary acknowledgment of paternity executed after January 1, 1998, creates a conclusive presumption of the putative father’s paternity subject to the provisions of Section 20-7-958. The person acknowledging paternity must be given the opportunity to seek legal advice prior to signing a verified voluntary acknowledgment. A verified voluntary acknowledgment must be made by a sworn document, signed by the person acknowledging paternity and witnessed by (1) that person’s attorney, parent, or guardian or (2) a person eighteen years of age or older who is not related to the child and not employed or acting under the authority of the Department Bureau of Social Services. The witness must attach to the acknowledgment a written certification which specifies that prior to signing the acknowledgment, the provisions of the acknowledgment were discussed with the person acknowledging paternity and that, based upon this discussion, it is the witness’ opinion that the acknowledgment is being given voluntarily and that it is not being obtained under duress or through coercion.

Child Support Enforcement may establish paternity

A) The division Office of Child Support Enforcement may establish paternity of a child in the course of a negotiation conference held pursuant to Section 20-7-9525 based upon an application for services or receipt of services by the custodian pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Service on the alleged father pursuant to this section must be made as provided in Section 20-7-9520. In addition to the notice of financial responsibility as set forth in Section 20-7-9515, the division office must serve the alleged father with a notice of paternity.

Probability of Paternity for South Carolina Courts: Law was repealed
Required Paternity Index: None

Our legal testing and home paternity test kits are both 100% accurate. All testing done in AABB testing laboratories. For a list of locations where we provide an approved paternity test in the state of South Carolina, please click Paternity Testing In South Carolina.