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How do I obtain assistance through the state?

Missouri Department of Social Services Toll Free Number 1-800-392-1261 provides assistance with food stamps, child support, Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

What is paternity?

It means fatherhood.

What is a legal father?

A man who has established paternity for a child.

How is paternity established?

If the parents are married during the pregnancy and birth of the baby, the husband is considered the father. If the parents are unmarried, the easiest way is for both parents to sign an Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity, which can be signed at the hospital or by contacting a social worker.

When is the Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity signed?

It can be signed at the hospital after the baby is delivered, or anytime after the baby is born.

If we didn’t sign the Affidavit at the hospital, where can we do it?

You can contact the Family Support Division – Child Support Enforcement at 1-800-859-7999 to request one. Someone there can help you complete the form if needed.

If we sign the Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity, will someone have to pay child support?

Not necessarily. If parents sign the Affidavit voluntarily, there is no order for child support. A parent can request an order for child support through the court.

Why is it important to establish paternity for your child?

When both parents participate in parenting, the child benefits. A legal father can contribute to the child’s sense of belonging, emotional well-being, financial stability, medical background, access to health care, inheritance rights, etc.

What if we’re not sure who the baby’s father is?

The mom, or the man believed to be the father, can go to the Family Support Division – Child Support Enforcement office to apply for genetic testing.

How much does paternity testing cost?

The costs are usually several hundred dollars.