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 father and the mother, that is executed on a form prescribed by the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The mother and 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 state.
- (3) 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.
- (4) 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 §151.002.
Source Note:The provisions of this §55.402 adopted to be effective April 23, 2000, 25 TexReg 3232.