Paternity

Please Note: The Boone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office does not represent either parent or the child in a civil paternity action. This office represents the State of Missouri’s interests. This office cannot be involved in the establishment of child custody or visitation.

When a paternity case is referred from the Family Support Division (FSD), the Child Support Unit will contact the custodial parent. A petition may be filed with the court and genetic tests may be ordered to determine the biological father of the child. If the testing results establish that there is at least a 98% probability that the individual is the father, then a hearing will be held and our office will seek to obtain a Judgment/Court Order establishing paternity along with an order for child support and medical support.

A custodial parent that receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits must cooperate with this office or those benefits may be sanctioned. Custodial parents that do not receive any state benefits, such as TANF, must cooperate with this office or the referral can be closed and returned to FSD.

Once a judgment is obtained, the referral is closed and the case is returned to FSD for monitoring and enforcement of the child support order.