81-5-105. General requirements for parentage action or settlement -- Filing parentage with the Office of Vital Records and Statistics.

325 words·~1 min read·/ut/title-81/chapter-5/81-5-105

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 9/1/2025

(1)A court shall, without adjudicating parentage, dismiss a petition that is filed under this chapter by an unmarried biological father if the unmarried biological father is not entitled to consent to the adoption of the child as described in Section 81-13-213 .

(2)The standard of proof in a trial to establish parentage is "by clear and convincing evidence."

(3)Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 55, Default, applies to a parentage action commenced under this chapter.

(4)An agreement of settlement with an alleged father is binding only when approved by the tribunal.

(5)If a parentage action is brought under this chapter, the obligor's liabilities for past support are limited to the period of four years preceding the commencement of an action.

(a)If the tribunal determines that an alleged father is a parent of the child, the tribunal may upon the tribunal's own motion, or upon motion of the alleged father, order parent-time rights in accordance with Title 81, Chapter 9, Custody, Parent-time, and Visitation, as the tribunal considers appropriate under the circumstances.

(b)Parent-time rights may not be granted to an alleged father if the child has been subsequently adopted.

(7)A party to an action under this chapter has a continuing obligation to keep the tribunal informed of the party's current address.

(8)A proceeding under this chapter is subject to other laws of this state governing the health, safety, privacy, and liberty of a child or other individual who could be jeopardized by disclosure of identifying information, including address, telephone number, place of employment, social security number, the child's day-care facility, or school.

(9)An adjudication of parentage or declaration of paternity shall be filed with the Office of Vital Records and Statistics in accordance with Section 26B-8-104 .

Enacted by Chapter 426 , 2025 General Session