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Contestation of filiation (paternity or maternity)
Verified 12 October 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
A fact-finding meeting that establishes a person's filiation with a parent of whom he or she claims to be the son or daughter. It must be constant, continuous and unambiguous (existence of an effective family life, the parent has participated in the upbringing and maintenance of the child, the existence of the family bond is recognized by the entourage).
Body of judges representing the interests of the business before the courts
Person responsible for legally accompanying a non-emancipated minor in order to protect his interests
Do you want to challenge the relationship of filiation between a child and a parent (married or unmarried)? The paternal or maternal filiation of a child may be challenged before the judge only by certain persons and within certain time limits.
What applies to you ?
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Challenge is possible in the following cases:
- Filiation by blood, established by the child's birth certificate
- Affiliation established by a notorious deed drawn up by a notary
Dispute is not possible in the following cases:
- Parentage
- Parentage following a MPA: titleContent
Parentage by birth certificate
The paternity challenge is a legal action to demonstrate that there is no relationship of filiation between the child and its official parent.
Most often, it is the paternity that is challenged.
Warning
In order to challenge maternity, proof must be provided that the woman designated by the birth certificate as the mother has not given birth to the child.
If filiation is established by the child's birth certificate, the challenge depends on the following:
- The parent invests (or has invested) in the child's education (we speak of state possession)
- The parent did not invest in the child's education
People who can challenge filiation vary depending on how invested the parent is (or has invested) in the child's education.
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The father has been involved in the child's education for more than 5 years or has been involved for more than 5 years
Only the public prosecutor's office may challenge the parent-child relationship in the following cases:
- Fraud against the law (for example, adoption fraud or surrogacy)
- Clues that make filiation implausible (for example, recognition by someone far too young to be the child's father)
In other cases, the relationship of parentage is not questionable.
The father has been involved (or has been involved) in the child's education for less than 5 years
Persons who can challenge the filiation established by the birth certificate are:
- Designated father in birth certificate
- Designated mother in birth certificate
- No one who pretends to be the real parent
- Child himself as of his majority
The public prosecutor's office may also challenge parentage in the following cases:
- Fraud against the law (for example, adoption fraud or surrogacy)
- Clues that make filiation implausible (for example, recognition by someone far too young to be the child's father)
The father does not participate (or did not participate) in the child's education at all
Anyone with a legitimate interest may challenge the filiation between the father in the birth or recognition certificate and the child. For example, an heir to the father.
The public prosecutor's office may also challenge the parent-child relationship in the following cases:
- Fraud against the law (for example, adoption fraud or surrogacy)
- Clues that make filiation implausible (for example, recognition by someone far too young to be the child's father)
The time limit for challenging filiation varies depending on how invested the parent is (or has invested) in the child's education.
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The father has been involved in the child's education for more than 5 years or has been involved for more than 5 years
You cannot dispute the parent-child relationship.
The father has been involved in the child's education for less than 5 years or has been involved for less than 5 years
The parent-child relationship may be challenged in a five-year period from the day on which the parent/child relationship has ceased, for example in the event of the death of the father.
If it is the child who challenges his filiation, he may act within five years from the date of his 18th birthday, either until age 23.
The father does not participate or has not participated in the child's education
The challenge may be brought in a 10-year period from the date of birth or recognition.
If it is the child who challenges his filiation, he can act within 10 years from the date of his 18 years, that is until his 28 years.
Paternity can be challenged by providing evidence that the man named in the birth declaration or who made the recognition is not the biological father of the child.
All means of proof are possible.
Biological expertise (paternity test) is usually ordered by the judge.
The refusal to comply may be interpreted by the judge as an admission of paternity or, as the case may be, of non-paternity.
The action challenging a parentage shall take place before the court of law, with the mandatory assistance of a lawyer.
If the child is a minor, he must be represented by a ad hoc administrator when his interests conflict with those of his legal representatives (i.e. his parent(s)).
Who shall I contact
When the contested parentage is challenged by the judge, the consequences are as follows:
- Retroactive cancelation of the parent-child relationship
- Automatic updating of relevant civil status documents
- Disappearance of the rights and obligations of the parent whose filiation is canceled (parental authority, maintenance obligation, etc.)
Cancelation of filiation may result in renaming of the minor child.
If the child is of age, the name change is possible only with the child's consent.
FYI
In the best interests of the child, the judge may organize relationship conditions with the person who raised it before, to preserve existing emotional ties.
Affiliation by notoriety
The paternity challenge is a legal action to demonstrate that there is no relationship of filiation between the child and its official parent.
Most often, it is the paternity that is challenged.
When the filiation established between a child and his father has been established by a notorious deed (written by a notary), it is possible to contest it.
Affiliation established by a well-known deed may be contested by any person who has a legitimate interest.
For example, an heir to the father.
Parentage may be contested in a 10-year period from the date of the public awareness act.
Paternity can be challenged by adducing evidence that the man recognized as the father in the notoriety act is not the biological father of the child.
All means of proof are possible.
Biological expertise (paternity test) is usually ordered by the judge.
The refusal to comply may be interpreted by the judge as an admission of paternity or, as the case may be, of non-paternity.
The action challenging a parentage shall take place before the court of law, with the mandatory assistance of a lawyer.
Who shall I contact
If the child is a minor, he must be represented by a ad hoc administrator when his interests conflict with those of his legal representatives (his parent or parents).
Who shall I contact
When the contested parentage is challenged by the judge, the consequences are as follows:
- Retroactive cancelation of the parent-child relationship
- Automatic updating of relevant civil status documents
- Disappearance of the rights and obligations of the parent whose filiation is canceled (parental authority, maintenance obligation, etc.)
Cancelation of filiation may result in renaming of the minor child.
If the child is of age, the name change is possible only with the child's consent.
FYI
in the interests of the child, the judge may organize relationship conditions with the person who raised it before, to preserve existing emotional ties.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service
For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.
- Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
- Service free
The informants who answer you are from the Department of Justice.
- House of Justice and the Law
Change of surname
Actions challenging filiation
Ad hoc administrator of the minor
Medically assisted reproduction