ORS 25.550
Establishing paternity of child

  • certification of paternity issue to circuit court

(1)

The administrator may establish paternity of a child in the course of a support proceeding under ORS 25.501 (Definitions for ORS 25.501 to 25.556) to 25.556 (Expeditious court hearings) when both parents sign statements that paternity has not been legally established and that the male parent is the father of the child. The administrator may enter an order which establishes paternity.

(2)

If the parent fails to file a response denying paternity and requesting a hearing within the time period allowed in ORS 25.511 (Notice and finding of financial responsibility) (2), then the administrator, without further notice to the parent, may enter an order, in accordance with ORS 25.511 (Notice and finding of financial responsibility) (7), which declares and establishes the parent as the legal father of the child.

(3)

Any order entered pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of this section establishes legal paternity for all purposes. The Center for Health Statistics of the Oregon Health Authority shall amend the record of live birth for the child and issue a new certified copy of the record of live birth in the new name, if any, of the child. The original record of live birth shall be sealed and filed and may be opened only upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

If paternity is alleged under ORS 25.511 (Notice and finding of financial responsibility) (3) and a written response denying paternity and requesting a hearing is received within the time period allowed in ORS 25.511 (Notice and finding of financial responsibility) (2), or if the administrator determines that there is a valid issue with respect to paternity of the child, the administrator, subject to the provisions of subsections (5) and (6) of this section, shall certify the matter to the circuit court for a determination based upon the contents of the file and any evidence which may be produced at trial. The proceedings in court shall for all purposes be deemed suits in equity. The provisions of ORS 109.145 (Court may proceed despite failure to appear) to 109.230 (Legality of contract between mother and father of child born out of wedlock) apply to proceedings certified to court by the administrator pursuant to this section.

(b)

Any response denying paternity and requesting a hearing shall be sent by the enforcement office to the obligee by regular mail.

(5)

An action to establish paternity initiated under ORS 25.501 (Definitions for ORS 25.501 to 25.556) to 25.556 (Expeditious court hearings) shall not be certified to court for trial unless all of the following have occurred:

(a)

Blood tests have been conducted;

(b)

The results of the blood tests have been served upon the parties and notice has been given that an order establishing paternity will be entered unless a written objection is received within 30 days; and

(c)

A written objection to the entry of an order has been timely received from a party.

(6)

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (5) of this section, the administrator:

(a)

Shall certify the matter to court:

(A)

Within 30 days of receipt by the administrator of a timely written objection to the entry of an order by a party under subsection (5)(c) of this section;

(B)

When a party requests certification in writing after the administrator has received a party’s written denial of paternity if at least 120 days have elapsed from receipt of the denial; or

(C)

Upon receipt of blood test results with a cumulative paternity index of less than 99; and

(b)

May certify the matter to court at any time under any other circumstances.

(7)

If the blood tests conducted under ORS 109.250 (Short title) to 109.262 (Uniformity of interpretation) result in a cumulative paternity index of 99 or greater, evidence of the tests, together with the testimony of the parent, shall be a sufficient basis upon which to establish paternity and the administrator may enter an order declaring the alleged father as the legal father of the child unless a party objects in writing to the entry of the order. The testimony of the parent may be presented by affidavit.

(8)

Prior to certification to court, the administrator may attempt to resolve the issue of paternity by discovery conducted under the Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure. Unless otherwise specifically provided by statute, the proceedings shall be conducted under the Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure.

(9)

When, in accordance with subsection (6)(a)(A) of this section, a party objects to the entry of an order and the blood tests conducted under ORS 109.250 (Short title) to 109.262 (Uniformity of interpretation) result in a cumulative paternity index of 99 or greater, notwithstanding the party’s objection, evidence of the tests, together with the testimony of a parent, is a sufficient basis upon which to presume paternity for purposes of establishing temporary support under this section. The court shall, upon motion of any party, enter a temporary order requiring the alleged father to provide support pending the determination of parentage by the court. In determining the amount of support, the court shall use the formula established under ORS 25.275 (Formula for determining child support awards). [Formerly 416.430]
Note: See note under 25.501 (Definitions for ORS 25.501 to 25.556).

Source: Section 25.550 — Establishing paternity of child; certification of paternity issue to circuit court, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors025.­html.

Notes of Decisions

DNA testing to establish paternity does not violate state or federal constitutional guarantees against unreasonable search and seizure. Department of Justice v. Spring, 201 Or App 367, 120 P3d 1 (2005), Sup Ct review denied

25.010
Definitions for support enforcement laws
25.011
“Address” defined
25.015
When payment on support order begins
25.020
When support payment to be made to Department of Justice
25.025
Annual notice to parties receiving services under ORS 25.020
25.030
When payment payable to bank account or escrow agent
25.070
Order may include payment of support enforcement fees
25.075
Cooperative agreements with Indian tribes or tribal organizations
25.080
Entity primarily responsible for support enforcement services
25.081
Access to records with Social Security number
25.082
Administrative subpoenas
25.083
High-volume automated administrative enforcement services
25.084
Assignment of rights or written application required for services
25.085
Service on obligee
25.088
Effect of dismissal of judicial proceeding on existing administrative order of support
25.089
Enforcement and modification of child support judgments
25.091
Multiple child support judgments
25.095
Later-issued child support judgment
25.100
Designation of auxiliary court in county where party resides or property located
25.110
Jurisdiction of designated auxiliary court
25.125
Disposition of support obligation overpayments
25.130
Election of alternative support payment method
25.140
Copies of new or modified support orders to department
25.150
Department to collect fees for services
25.160
Referral of support cases to department
25.164
Payment of support through Department of Justice
25.165
Application of support payments
25.166
Support payment due dates
25.167
Procedure for determining arrearages
25.170
Proceedings to require delinquent obligor to appear for examination of financial circumstances
25.180
Examination of obligor’s financial circumstances
25.190
Continuance of proceedings
25.200
Arrest of obligor for failure to appear
25.210
Use of obligor’s property for delinquent support payments
25.213
Assignment of proceeds of insurance policy to secure support obligation
25.220
Computer records of administrator
25.230
Court authorized to require security for support payments
25.240
Order to pay support by parent with legal custody of minor
25.241
Suspension of enforcement or holdback of moneys received during pendency of certain actions
25.243
Grievance procedure
25.245
Rebuttable presumption of inability to pay child support when parent receiving certain assistance payments
25.247
Rebuttable presumption of inability to pay child support when obligor incarcerated
25.260
Confidentiality of records
25.265
Access to information in Federal Parent Locator Service
25.270
Legislative findings
25.275
Formula for determining child support awards
25.280
Formula amount presumed correct
25.287
Proceedings to modify orders to comply with formula
25.290
Determining disposable income of obligor
25.321
Definitions for ORS 25.321 to 25.343
25.323
Medical support
25.325
Enforcing medical support
25.327
Service of medical support notice
25.329
Actions required after service of medical support notice
25.331
Obligation to withhold
25.333
Contesting medical support notice
25.335
Termination of support order
25.337
Liability
25.339
Priority of medical support notice
25.341
Notice of termination of employer’s relationship with providing party
25.342
Rules
25.343
Authorization for reimbursement payments
25.372
Applicability
25.375
Priority of withholding
25.378
Payment of support by income withholding
25.381
Establishing income withholding as method of paying support
25.384
Statement on withholding in support order
25.387
Withholding more than amount authorized by law
25.390
Amendment of support order not required for withholding
25.393
Remedy additional to other remedies
25.396
Exception to withholding
25.399
Notice of order to withhold
25.402
Service of order on withholder
25.405
Contesting order to withhold
25.408
Withholding is continuing obligation
25.411
When withholding begins
25.414
Standard amount to be withheld
25.417
Amount to be withheld when obligor paid more frequently than monthly
25.421
Procedure if withholder does not withhold support
25.424
Liability of withholder
25.427
Rules
25.501
Definitions for ORS 25.501 to 25.556
25.502
Policy
25.503
Parties to support proceedings
25.505
Authority of administrator and administrative law judge
25.507
Tribunals for establishment of paternity or for child support order
25.511
Notice and finding of financial responsibility
25.513
Hearings procedure
25.515
Past support
25.517
When order of support contingent on child residing in state financed or supported residence
25.525
Modification of order based on change in physical custody
25.527
Motions to modify financial responsibility orders
25.529
Filing order with court
25.531
Multiple child support judgments
25.533
Relief from compliance with order
25.540
Notice of intent to establish and enforce arrearages
25.542
Preventing transfer of assets to evade compliance with order
25.550
Establishing paternity of child
25.552
Certification of paternity issue to circuit or juvenile court
25.554
Reopening issue of paternity
25.556
Expeditious court hearings
25.575
Definitions for ORS 25.575 to 25.577
25.576
Order for support of adjudicated youth or other offender
25.577
Youth authority may enter into agreements for support enforcement services
25.610
Procedure to collect support orders from state tax refunds
25.620
Procedures to collect past due support from state tax refunds
25.625
Federal tax offset
25.640
Definitions for ORS 25.643 and 25.646
25.643
Disclosure of information on obligors by financial institutions
25.646
Disclosure of financial records of customers by financial institutions
25.650
Information on past due support to consumer reporting agencies
25.670
Judgment lien on personal property
25.680
Effect of lien
25.690
Foreclosure of lien
25.710
Duty of district attorney
25.715
Child support paid from security deposit
25.720
When support assignable
25.725
Child Support Deposit Fund
25.727
Garnishing income of person required to provide health insurance for child eligible under Medicaid
25.729
Application of laws to effectuate purposes of ORS chapter 110
25.750
Suspension of licenses, certificates, permits and registrations
25.752
Memberships in professional organizations that are required by state law
25.756
Identifying persons holding licenses, certificates, permits and registrations
25.759
Notice to persons subject to suspension
25.762
Agreement between obligor and administrator
25.765
Procedure if obligor contacts administrator within time limits
25.768
Judicial review of order
25.771
Obligor holding more than one license, certificate, permit or registration
25.774
Reinstatement
25.777
Reimbursing issuing entities for costs incurred
25.780
Other licenses, certificates, permits and registrations subject to suspension
25.783
Confidentiality of information
25.785
Issuing entities to require Social Security number
25.790
Hiring or rehiring individual
25.792
Confidentiality
25.793
Disclosure of employer-reported information
25.794
Verification of employment
25.990
Penalties
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