Indiana Code
Ind. Code § 31-14-2-1 (2026)
Exclusive methods of establishing paternity
✓ current as of May 2026
Sec. 1. A man's paternity may only be established:
(1) in an action under this article; or
(2) by executing a paternity affidavit in accordance with IC 16-37-2-2.1.
[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-6.1-9(b) part.]
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.6.
IC 31-14-3Chapter 3. Rules of Procedure in Paternity Actions
31-14-3-1Application of Indiana Rules of Civil Procedure
31-14-3-2Venue
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 35
cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1999–2025 · leading case: Bester v. Lake Cnty. Off. of Fam. & Child., 839 N.E.2d 143 (Ind. 2005).
Bester v. Lake Cnty. Off. of Fam. & Child., 839 N.E.2d 143 (Ind. 2005). “1, or whether either party filed a Petition to Establish Paterni *145 ty, see Indiana Code § 31-14-2-1, et seq. In any event the record shows that Father was subsequently adjudicated Child's biological parent as the result of DNA testing.”
In re the Paternity of: S.A.M. (Child), M.M. v. M.H., S.B., 85 N.E.3d 879 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). “until recently”)): contra Ind. Code § 31-14-2-1 ("A man’s paternity may only be established: (1) in an action under this article: or (2) by executing a paternity affidavit in accordance with IC 16-37-2-2.”
Paternity of H.H. v. Hughes, 879 N.E.2d 1175 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). “Ind.Code § 31-14-2-1. Once a man executes a paternity affidavit in accordance with I.”
In Re the Paternity of N.R.R.L., 846 N.E.2d 1094 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006). “Ind.Code § 31-14-2-1. A man is a child's legal father if the man executed a paternity affidavit in accordance with Indiana Code Section 16-87-2-2.”
In Re the Paternity of S.C., 966 N.E.2d 143 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012). “See I.C. § 31-14-2-1; In re Paternity of D.L.”
In the Matter of J.B. & L.B.: J.J. (Mother) v. The Indiana Dep't of Child Servs., 61 N.E.3d 308 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016). “But Indiana Code section 31-14-2-1 provides that a man’s paternity may be established in only one of two ways: (1) in an action under Article 14 or (2) by executing a paternity affidavit at the hospital or local health department under Indiana Code section 16-37-2-2.”
In Re the Paternity of E.M.L.G., 863 N.E.2d 867 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). “Indiana Code section 31-14-2-1 (1998) provides for two ways to establish paternity: “(1) in an action under [article 14 governing proceedings for establishing paternity] or (2) by executing a paternity affidavit in accordance with IC 16-37-2-2.”
In Re: The Paternity of I.I.P.: Kailei L. Poteet v. Justin Rodgers & Nathan T. Poteet, 92 N.E.3d 1158 (Ind. Ct. App. 2018). “"A man is a child's legal father if the man executed a paternity affidavit .”
In Re Paternity of DL, 938 N.E.2d 1221 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010). “[6] Where paternity is established by affidavit, Indiana Code Section 16-37-2-2.”
Paternity of Davis v. Trensey, 862 N.E.2d 308 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). “According to I.C. § 31-14-2-1 (West, PREMISE through 2006 Second Regular Session), “[a] man’s paternity may only be established: (1) in an action under [I.”
Michael Litton v. Jason Baugh, 122 N.E.3d 1034 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019). “Indiana Code Section 31-14-2-1 provides that paternity may only be established: "(1) in an action under [Indiana Article 31-14]; or (2) by executing a paternity affidavit in accordance with IC 16-37-2-2.1." "[I]f a man has executed a paternity affidavit in accordance with […”
Lattimore v. Amsler, 758 N.E.2d 568 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). “IC. § 31-14-2-1 provides that a man's paternity may only be established by an action under LC.”
— Ind. Code § 31-14-2-1(1998) — 1 case
In Re the Paternity of T.H., Tyrone Hutchins, Jr. v. Kellishia Kelly, 22 N.E.3d 804 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014).
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