In Georgia, a legal action to establish paternity is called “legitimation.” Unmarried fathers seeking visitation with their child or an unmarried mother seeking child support, must first establish a legal father-child relationship through an Order of Legitimation.

The legitimation process is necessary to establish paternity when the parents are unmarried, even if the father is named on the birth certificate. However, the process is simpler if both parents agree who the father is. If the parents do not agree, then paternity must be established through DNA testing.

Ordway Law Group represents unmarried fathers and mothers in the Atlanta metro area who wish to establish paternity through legitimation orders. We also handle petitions for child support, custody and visitation rights once paternity has been determined. Please see our Modifications page.