§ 19-11-14.Father’s liability for support of child born out of wedlock; full faith and credit to paternity determination by another state
Chapter 11. Enforcement of Duty of Support · Article 1. Child Support Recovery Act · Last amended 1999 · Last verified October 9, 2026
Full Text of § 19-11-14
Plain-English Summary
This section puts children born out of wedlock on the same footing for support. Under subsection (a), a man becomes legally liable to support the child in the same manner as he would owe support for a child born in wedlock in either of two ways: a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative tribunal adjudicates him the father, or he acknowledges paternity under oath in an administrative hearing, in court or by verified writing. The child’s right to that support is enforceable in a civil action, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
Subsection (b) handles paternity decided elsewhere. For purposes of Chapter 11 only, Georgia courts must give full faith and credit to another state’s determination of paternity, whether it came through a voluntary acknowledgment or through an administrative or judicial process. So a father whose paternity was established in another state can’t avoid a Georgia support case by arguing that paternity was never decided in Georgia.
Note the limits. Subsection (b)’s rule applies “for the purposes of this chapter only,” meaning support enforcement, not every question that might turn on paternity. And this section concerns the duty of support, not legitimation, custody or visitation. A separate section, § 19-7-46.1, governs how a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity is made, rescinded or challenged. The section was last amended in 1999.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an unmarried father have to pay child support in Georgia?
Yes, once paternity is established. A man adjudicated the father by a court or administrative tribunal, or who acknowledged paternity under oath in an administrative hearing, in court or by verified writing, is legally liable for the child’s support in the same manner as if the child were born in wedlock. The child’s right to that support is enforceable in a civil action.
Does Georgia recognize a paternity finding from another state?
Yes, for child support purposes. Under subsection (b), Georgia courts shall give full faith and credit to a determination of paternity made by another state, whether through voluntary acknowledgment or through administrative or judicial processes. The rule applies for purposes of Chapter 11 only.
Is a signed paternity acknowledgment enough to owe child support in Georgia?
If it’s made under oath. This section imposes the support duty when a man has acknowledged paternity under oath in an administrative hearing, in court or by verified writing. Section 19-7-46.1 separately governs voluntary acknowledgments signed before a notary, including a rescission window of no more than 60 days and later challenges for fraud, duress or material mistake of fact.
Does paying child support give an unmarried father custody rights in Georgia?
Not under this section. It addresses only the duty of support, making an adjudicated or acknowledged father liable as if the child were born in wedlock. Legitimation, custody and visitation are governed by other parts of Title 19, and § 19-7-46.1 notes that an acknowledgment of paternity is not a legitimation.
Can a child born out of wedlock sue for support in Georgia?
Yes. The section says the right of a child born out of wedlock to receive support from a father who has been adjudicated or who has acknowledged paternity under oath is enforceable in a civil action, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
Amendment History
Laws 1973, p. 192, § 17; Laws 1976, p. 1537, § 15; Laws 1983, p. 1816, § 1; Laws 1994, p. 1270, § 6; Laws 1999, p. 81, § 19.