Paternity Investigation
A child’s paternity can be acknowledged at a maternity clinic or investigated by a Child Supervisor.
Unmarried parents can have their child’s paternity acknowledged at their maternity clinic prior to the child’s birth. Acknowledgement of paternity takes place towards the end of pregnancy (weeks 30–32).
If paternity is not acknowledged during pregnancy or if the acknowledgement is revoked or contested, the Child Supervisor launches a paternity investigation.
In accordance with the Finnish Paternity Act, the Child Supervisor may also investigate paternity when the child has been born during a marriage if the spouses request a paternity investigation before six months have elapsed from the birth of the child. This investigation encompasses a forensic genetic paternity test.
When paternity is confirmed, a legally valid family relationship is formed between the child and the man who acknowledged paternity as well as between the child and the man’s relatives. If paternity cannot be established through acknowledgement, it can be confirmed by a court decision. In accordance with the establishment of paternity, the child has the right to receive maintenance and also inheritance from his father and paternal relatives. After the confirmation of paternity, the child receives the right to meet his or her father and, moreover, he or she may receive the father’s last name.
Description of the Service
If paternity is not confirmed during the pregnancy at a maternity clinic, you can contact the Child Supervisor in order to acknowledge paternity or request a paternity investigation.
Contact Information
Contact the Child Supervisor during office hours to receive guidance or book an appointment.
Phone time Mon–Tue at 9–10 AM, Wed–Thu 12:30–1:30 PM
Phone time Mon–Tue at 9–10 AM, Wed–Thu 12:30–1:30 PM
Phone hours Mon-Tue 9-10 am and Wed 12:30–13:30 pm