When is a putative father no longer putative?

[gilisi]

Child is born out of wedlock. Putative father is not on the birth certificate but child has his last name. There have been no court proceedings but mother named putative father with Child Support Enforcement.

Would this still make putative father legally putative? Does there have to be a court proceeding and paternity test to no longer be putative?

Thanks a bunch!

[aaron]

As part of the child support action, the putative ("presumed") father will be given the option to contest paternity. If he consents to a finding of paternity, he will be declared the father by the court. If he disputes paternity, it is likely that DNA testing will be ordered to resolve the issue. If the DNA testing excludes him as the father, he will have neither a support obligation nor parental rights.