9/13/24 Update re: Notice of Closure of Conejos County Courthouse

Closures Nov. 27 to 29 (Thanksgiving week)

Family Cases
Family Cases

Paternity Cases

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These standard instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice about your case. If you choose to represent yourself, you are bound by the same rules and procedures as an attorney.

How to Respond to Paperwork Stating You Are the Parent

First, read the paperwork and decide whether or not you agree with the information in the paperwork.

Identify Where to File Your Paperwork

The location and contact information of the court where the paternity paperwork was filed is on the top of the paperwork you received. Give your paperwork to the same court that is listed on the paperwork you received.

If You Want to Admit You Are the Father

You will be known as the "Respondent", and the mother of the child will be known as the "Petitioner".

Forms and Paperwork Required

  1. Use the forms link above to download and complete JDF 1504 Admission of Parentage. For detailed instructions on how to fill out this form, review JDF 1500 How to Establish Someone as a Parent.
  2. Sign JDF 1504 Admission of Parentage in front of a notary public or court clerk. Take your completed JDF 1504 Admission of Parentage to either a notary public, or to a court clerk at the courthouse where you will file your case.
    • You can find a local notary public by looking in the Yellow Pages, on the Internet, or by going to your local bank.
    • You will need to pay any notarization fees.
  3. Mail or hand-deliver a copy of JDF 1504 Admission of Parentage to the mother of the child.

How to Submit Paperwork to the Court

Take your completed JDF 1504 Admission of Parentage and JDF 1313 Certificate of Service to the courthouse and give them to the clerk.

If You Do Not Want to Admit You Are the Father

You will be known as the "Respondent", and the parent who started the case is the "Petitioner".

Forms and Paperwork Required

  1. Use the forms link above to download and complete JDF 1315 Response.
    • The case number is on the top of the paperwork you received.
  2. Mail or hand-deliver a copy of JDF 1315 Response to the other parent.
  3. If you do not want to admit that you are the child's parent, you can ask for genetic testing using the steps below.

Genetic Testing

If you and the Petitioner agree on genetic testing, ask the court for genetic testing using JDF 1506 Agreement for Genetic Testing. Follow the instructions below in Option A to fill out the Agreement.

If you and the Petitioner do not agree on genetic testing, ask the court for genetic testing using JDF 1505 Motion of Genetic Testing. Follow the instructions below in Option B to fill out the Motion.

Option A: Fill Out an Agreement for Genetic Testing

Download and complete JDF 1506 Agreement for Genetic Testing. You and the mother of the child will both sign this form in front of a notary public or court clerk. You do not need to do this at the same time (i.e., you can sign in front of a notary or court clerk, give the form to the mother of the child, and have her sign in front of a notary or court clerk at a later time). You can find a local notary public by looking in the Yellow Pages, on the Internet, or by going to your local bank.

You and the mother of the child will need to contact a testing agency to schedule a date and time for the test. Put the date and time of the test on the form.

You and the mother of the child will be responsible for paying the fee for the test.

Option B: Fill Out a Motion for Genetic Testing

Download and complete JDF 1505 Motion of Genetic Testing. You will sign the form, but the mother of the child does not need to sign.

Contact a testing agency to schedule a date and time for the test. Put the date and time of the test of the form.

You will be responsible for paying the fee for the test.

You will need to mail or hand-deliver a copy of JDF 1505 Motion of Genetic Testing to the mother of the child.

Additional Resources