Texas Codes

Tex. Fam. Code § 160.637 (2026)

Binding Effect Of Determination Of Parentage

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 160.637. BINDING EFFECT OF DETERMINATION OF PARENTAGE. (a) Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (b) or Section 160.316, a determination of parentage is binding on:

(1) all signatories to an acknowledgment or denial of paternity as provided by Subchapter D; and

(2) all parties to an adjudication by a court acting under circumstances that satisfy the jurisdictional requirements of Section 159.201.

(b) A child is not bound by a determination of parentage under this chapter unless:

(1) the determination was based on an unrescinded acknowledgment of paternity and the acknowledgment is consistent with the results of genetic testing;

(2) the adjudication of parentage was based on a finding consistent with the results of genetic testing and the consistency is declared in the determination or is otherwise shown; or

(3) the child was a party or was represented in the proceeding determining parentage by an attorney ad litem.

(c) In a proceeding to dissolve a marriage, the court is considered to have made an adjudication of the parentage of a child if the court acts under circumstances that satisfy the jurisdictional requirements of Section 159.201, and the final order:

(1) expressly identifies the child as "a child of the marriage" or "issue of the marriage" or uses similar words indicating that the husband is the father of the child; or

(2) provides for the payment of child support for the child by the husband unless paternity is specifically disclaimed in the order.

(d) Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (b), a determination of parentage may be a defense in a subsequent proceeding seeking to adjudicate parentage by an individual who was not a party to the earlier proceeding.

(e) A party to an adjudication of paternity may challenge the adjudication only under the laws of this state relating to appeal, the vacating of judgments, or other judicial review.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 821, Sec. 1.01, eff. June 14, 2001.

SUBCHAPTER H. CHILD OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION


Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 2003–2025 · leading case: In Re Off. of Attorney Gen. of Texas, 193 S.W.3d 690 (Tex. App. 2006).
In Re Off. of Attorney Gen. of Texas, 193 S.W.3d 690 (Tex. App. 2006). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 160.637(a)(2) (Vernon 2002).”
In the Interest of R.J.P., a Child, 179 S.W.3d 181 (Tex. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “1979); see Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 160.637 (a)(2) (Vernon 2002) (stating a determination of parentage is binding on all parties to an adjudication by a court acting under circumstances satisfying the jurisdictional requirements of Texas Family Code section 159.”
in the Interest of J.I.Z., a Minor Child, 170 S.W.3d 881 (Tex. App. 2005). “” See tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 160.637(e) (Vernon 2002).”
In the Interest of J.K.B. & Minor Child., 439 S.W.3d 442 (Tex. App. 2014). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 160.637(c) (Vernon 2014).”
In the Interest of J.W., 97 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. App. 2003). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 160.637(b) (Vernon 2002).”
In Re Rjp, 179 S.W.3d 181 (Tex. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “637(a)(2) (Vernon 2002) (stating a determination of parentage is binding on all parties to an adjudication by a court acting under circumstances satisfying the jurisdictional requirements of Texas Family Code section 159.”
in the Interest of D. A. A-B., a Child (Tex. App. 2022). · cites it 2× “See TEX.FAM.CODE ANN. § 160.637(a)(2). One might read this section to say that if a divorce decree makes a finding that there were no children of the marriage, it becomes a conclusive adjudication of parentage (or more particularly, non-parentage).”
In Re Jw, 97 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. App. 2003). “TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 160.637(b) (Vernon 2002).”
In Re Jiz, 170 S.W.3d 881 (Tex. App. 2005). “" See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 160.637(e) (Vernon 2002).”
in the Interest of J.B., Jr., S.C.B., & S.F.B., Minor Child. (Tex. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 160.637 (a)(2) (Vernon 2008).”
in the Interest of J.B., Jr., S.C.B., & S.F.B., Minor Child. (Tex. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 160.637 (a)(2) (Vernon 2008).”
in Re the Off. of the Attorney Gen. of Texas (Tex. App. 2006). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 160.637 (a)(2) (Vernon 2002).”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 160.637(a)(2) — 4 cases
In Re Off. of Attorney Gen. of Texas, 193 S.W.3d 690 (Tex. App. 2006). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 160.637(a)(2) (Vernon 2002).”
In Re Rjp, 179 S.W.3d 181 (Tex. App. 2005). “637(a)(2) (Vernon 2002) (stating a determination of parentage is binding on all parties to an adjudication by a court acting under circumstances satisfying the jurisdictional requirements of Texas Family Code section 159.”
in the Interest of D. A. A-B., a Child (Tex. App. 2022). “See TEX.FAM.CODE ANN. § 160.637(a)(2). One might read this section to say that if a divorce decree makes a finding that there were no children of the marriage, it becomes a conclusive adjudication of parentage (or more particularly, non-parentage).”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 160.637(b) — 2 cases
In the Interest of J.W., 97 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. App. 2003). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 160.637(b) (Vernon 2002).”
In Re Jw, 97 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. App. 2003). “TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 160.637(b) (Vernon 2002).”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 160.637(b)(3) — 1 case
— Tex. Fam. Code § 160.637(c) — 3 cases
In the Interest of J.K.B. & Minor Child., 439 S.W.3d 442 (Tex. App. 2014). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 160.637(c) (Vernon 2014).”
in the Interest of D. A. A-B., a Child (Tex. App. 2022). “See TEX.FAM.CODE ANN. § 160.637(a)(2). One might read this section to say that if a divorce decree makes a finding that there were no children of the marriage, it becomes a conclusive adjudication of parentage (or more particularly, non-parentage).”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 160.637(e) — 5 cases
In Re Off. of Attorney Gen. of Texas, 193 S.W.3d 690 (Tex. App. 2006). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 160.637(a)(2) (Vernon 2002).”
in the Interest of J.I.Z., a Minor Child, 170 S.W.3d 881 (Tex. App. 2005). “” See tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 160.637(e) (Vernon 2002).”
In Re Rjp, 179 S.W.3d 181 (Tex. App. 2005). “637(a)(2) (Vernon 2002) (stating a determination of parentage is binding on all parties to an adjudication by a court acting under circumstances satisfying the jurisdictional requirements of Texas Family Code section 159.”
In Re Jiz, 170 S.W.3d 881 (Tex. App. 2005). “" See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 160.637(e) (Vernon 2002).”
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