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

1. (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. (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 Bureau of Vital Statistics.
3. (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. (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 §160.204.

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.