Respond to a paternity application

If someone names you in an application for a Paternity Order or a Declaration of Paternity you will be served (given in person) the documents so that you can decide how to respond.

You must respond within 21 days unless the court has told you otherwise.

If you don’t respond to an application, the judge could decide the case without hearing your side.

If you decide to defend yourself against the application you’ll need to fill out some forms.

Forms for responding to an application

If you need help to fill in the forms you can call us or visit your local court.

Find out more about affidavits and statutory declarations

Note: When you print the forms it's important to print them single sided.

  1. Fill in these 2 forms:
    Notice of defence - G12 [PDF, 58 KB]
    General affidavit [PDF, 38 KB]
  2. File your application.
    Find out more about how to file documents
  3. Serve the documents on the other people.
    Find out more about serving documents

A lawyer can help you. If you can’t afford a lawyer you may be able to get:

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