Paternity Law in Texas

This page covers paternity law as it applies in Texas — the state and federal laws that govern it, filing deadlines, where to get help, and notable in-state decisions. For what paternity protects generally, see the national overview.

Compiled from primary legal sourcesNot legal adviceHow we source this

Laws that govern paternity in Texas

Texas state law

THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › GENERAL PROVISIONS › APPOINTMENTS IN SUITS BY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY TX FA § 107.013
Cited in 102 court decisions on this topic's terms.
THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › TERMINATION OF THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › HEARING AND ORDER TX FA § 161.206
Cited in 89 court decisions on this topic's terms.
THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT › GENERAL PROVISIONS TX FA § 152.102
Cited in 63 court decisions on this topic's terms.
THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › TERMINATION OF THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › GROUNDS TX FA § 161.002
Cited in 30 court decisions on this topic's terms.
THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › CHILD SUPPORT › CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES TX FA § 154.131
Cited in 24 court decisions on this topic's terms.
THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP › UNIFORM PARENTAGE ACT › GENERAL PROVISIONS TX FA § 160.102
Cited in 21 court decisions on this topic's terms.

Browse all of Texas’s statutes →

Where to go & how to get help

Government agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations for paternity in Texas.

USA.gov — Find legal aid and free legal serviceslegal aid
Official U.S. government starting point for finding free or low-cost legal help and legal-aid programs near you.
Legal Services Corporation — Get legal helplegal aid
Locate the LSC-funded legal-aid organization that serves your county for civil (non-criminal) legal problems.
American Bar Association — Free Legal Help & Lawyer Referralbar referral
Find your state or local bar association lawyer-referral service and free legal-answer programs.
USA.gov — State attorney generalagency
Find your state attorney general to file consumer-protection, civil-rights, or other complaints.

Not legal advice. State-specific statutes, deadlines and procedures are being sourced and will appear here.