Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-302 (2026)
Chapter definitions
✓ current as of May 2026
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
- (1) "Child born out of wedlock" means a child born to parents who are not married to each other when the child was born;
- (2) "Court" means the juvenile court or any trial court with general jurisdiction;
- (3) "Father" means the biological father of a child born out of wedlock;
- (4) "Mother" means the biological mother of a child born out of wedlock;
- (5) "Parent" means the biological mother or biological father of a child, regardless of the marital status of the mother and father; and
- (6) "Father," "mother," and "parent" do not include a biological parent whose parental rights have been terminated for a child whose parentage is at issue.
Acts 1997, ch. 477, § 1.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 14
cases (3 in the last 5 years), 2004–2022 · leading case: In re C.K.G., 173 S.W.3d 714 (Tenn. 2005).
In re C.K.G., 173 S.W.3d 714 (Tenn. 2005). “3 Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 36-2-302, 36-1-102(36) (2001 & Supp.”
In Re Ckg, 173 S.W.3d 714 (Tenn. 2005). “[3] Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 36-2-302, 36-1-102(36) (2001 & Supp.”
In re T.K.Y., 205 S.W.3d 343 (Tenn. 2006). “Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-2-302 (2005). Thus, under the definition of “father” in the parentage statute, whomever is the biological father of a child is the child’s father.”
In Re Tky, 205 S.W.3d 343 (Tenn. 2006). “Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-2-302 (2005). Thus, under the definition of "father" in the parentage statute, whomever is the biological father of a child is the child's father.”
Sandra Ann Pippin v. Christina Michelle Pippin (Tenn. Ct. App. 2020). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-302 (4)(3). Section 36-2-305 permits a complaint to establish parentage of a child to be filed by the child, the child’s mother, “a man claiming to be the child’s father,” or the department of human services or its contractor.”
Christina Jane Compher v. Dana Janelle Whitefield (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022). “See Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-302 . The Legislature consistently uses the descriptor “biological” in section 36-2-302, which provides 8 Ms.”
In Re Houston D. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022). “]” Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-302 (1) (emphasis added).”
In Re C.K.G., C.A.G., & C.L.G. - Dissenting (Tenn. 2005). “4 Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 36-2-302 , 36-1- 102(36) (2001 & Supp.”
Pamela Estelle Harrison v. Shannon Nicole Harrison (Tenn. Ct. App. 2021). “He further argues that Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-302 (5) applies to establish him as the children’s legal father in this case.”
Jordan Ashton Danelz v. John Gayden, M.D. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2013). “8 See Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 36-2-302 (3) and (5). Once the respondent is found to be the biological father, the parentage statutes direct the trial court to determine his child support obligation.”
In Re: C.k.g., C.a.g., C.L.G. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2004). “The paternity statute, Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-302 , defines “parent” as “the biological mother or biological father of a child, regardless of the marital status of the mother and father.”
Robert L. Mitchell v. State of Tennessee (Tenn. Crim. App. 2015). “” Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-2-302(5), regarding paternity and legitimation, defines “parent” as the biological mother or father of a child.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-302(4) — 3 cases
In re C.K.G., 173 S.W.3d 714 (Tenn. 2005). “3 Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 36-2-302, 36-1-102(36) (2001 & Supp.”
In Re Ckg, 173 S.W.3d 714 (Tenn. 2005). “[3] Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 36-2-302, 36-1-102(36) (2001 & Supp.”
Sandra Ann Pippin v. Christina Michelle Pippin (Tenn. Ct. App. 2020). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-302 (4)(3). Section 36-2-305 permits a complaint to establish parentage of a child to be filed by the child, the child’s mother, “a man claiming to be the child’s father,” or the department of human services or its contractor.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-302(5) — 4 cases
In re C.K.G., 173 S.W.3d 714 (Tenn. 2005). “3 Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 36-2-302, 36-1-102(36) (2001 & Supp.”
In Re Ckg, 173 S.W.3d 714 (Tenn. 2005). “[3] Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 36-2-302, 36-1-102(36) (2001 & Supp.”
Robert L. Mitchell v. State of Tennessee (Tenn. Crim. App. 2015). “” Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-2-302(5), regarding paternity and legitimation, defines “parent” as the biological mother or father of a child.”
Sandra Ann Pippin v. Christina Michelle Pippin (Tenn. Ct. App. 2020). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-2-302 (4)(3). Section 36-2-305 permits a complaint to establish parentage of a child to be filed by the child, the child’s mother, “a man claiming to be the child’s father,” or the department of human services or its contractor.”
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