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Missouri Paternity Law

Paternity – General – Missouri

Note:  This summary is not intended to be an all inclusive discussion of the law applicable to an action to establish Paternity in the State of Missouri, but does include basic and other provisions.

Statutes:

Missouri Revised Statutes
Chapter 210 Child Protection and Reformation
210.817-210.852 “Uniform Parentage Act”

Definitions. (1993)
As used in sections 210.817 to 210.852, the following terms mean:

(1) “Blood tests”, any medically recognized analysis which uses blood or other body tissue or fluid to isolate and identify genetic or other characteristics in order to determine the probability of paternity or the probability of exclusion of paternity. The term specifically includes, without being limited to, tests employing red cell antigens, white cell antigens, including the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) test, DNA methodology, and serum proteins and enzymes;

(2) “Bureau”, the bureau of vital records of the department of health and senior services;

(3) “Parent”, either a natural or an adoptive parent;

(4) “Parent and child relationship”, the legal relationship existing between a child and his natural or adoptive parents incident to which the law confers or imposes rights, privileges, duties, and obligations. It includes the mother and child relationship and the father and child relationship.
Chapter 210, §210.817.

Relationship not dependent on marriage. (1987)
The parent and child relationship extends equally to every child and every parent, regardless of the marital status of the parents.
Chapter 210, §210.818.

Parent and child relationship, how established. (1987)
The parent and child relationship between child and:

(1) The natural mother may be established by proof of her having given birth to the child, or under the provisions of sections 210.817 to 210.852;

(2) The natural father may be established under the provisions of sections 210.817 to 210.852;

(3) An adoptive parent may be established by proof of adoption.
Chapter 210, §210.819.

Presumption of paternity–rebuttal of presumption, standard of proof. (1998)

1. A man shall be presumed to be the natural father of a child if:

(1) He and the child’s natural mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage, or within three hundred days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or dissolution, or after a decree of separation is entered by a court; or

(2) Before the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with the law, although the attempted marriage is or may be declared invalid, and:

(a) If the attempted marriage may be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage or within three hundred days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity or dissolution; or

(b) If the marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within three hundred days after the termination of cohabitation; or

(3) After the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have married or attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the marriage is or may be declared invalid, and:

(a) He has acknowledged his paternity of the child in writing filed with the bureau; or

(b) With his consent, he is named as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate; or

(c) He is obligated to support the child pursuant to a written voluntary promise or by court order; or

(4) An expert concludes that the blood tests show that the alleged parent is not excluded and that the probability of paternity is ninety-eight percent or higher, using a prior probability of 0.5.

2. A presumption pursuant to this section may be rebutted in an appropriate action only by clear and convincing evidence, except that a presumption under subsection 1 of this section that arises from a blood test or the filing of an acknowledgment of paternity in a state or territory in which the blood test or the filing creates a conclusive presumption by law also has conclusive effect in Missouri. If two or more presumptions arise which conflict with each other, the presumption which on the facts is founded on the weightier considerations of policy and logic controls. The presumption is rebutted by a court decree establishing the paternity of the child by another man.
Chapter 210, §210.822.

Acknowledgment of paternity is considered a legal finding of paternity–rescinding the acknowledgment. (1997)

1. A signed acknowledgment of paternity form pursuant to section 193.215, RSMo, shall be considered a legal finding of paternity subject to the right of either signatory to rescind the acknowledgment, in writing, by filing such rescission with the bureau within the earlier of:

(1) Sixty days from the date of the last signature; or

(2) The date of an administrative or judicial proceeding to establish a support order in which the signatory is a party. The acknowledgment may thereafter only be challenged in court on the basis of fraud, duress or material mistake of fact with the burden of proof upon the challenger. No judicial or administrative proceeding shall be required or permitted to ratify an unchallenged acknowledgment of paternity.

2. Except for good cause shown, the legal responsibilities of the parties, including child support obligations, shall not be suspended during the pendency of any action in which an attempt is made to revoke the signed acknowledgment under this section.

3. The acknowledgment shall be filed with the bureau. An acknowledgment effectuated under the law of any other state or territory shall be given the same effect in this state as it has in the other state or territory.
Chapter 210, §210.823.

Artificial insemination, consent required, duties of physician, effect of physician’s failure to comply with law–inspection of records permitted, when. (1987)

1. If, under the supervision of a licensed physician and with the consent of her husband, a wife is inseminated artificially with semen donated by a man not her husband, the husband is treated in law as if he were the natural father of a child thereby conceived. The husband’s consent must be in writing and signed by him and his wife. The physician shall certify their signatures and the date of the insemination, and file the husband’s consent with the bureau, where it shall be kept confidential and in a sealed file. The physician’s failure to comply with this section shall not affect the father and child relationship. All papers and records pertaining to the insemination, whether part of the permanent record of a court or of a file held by the supervising physician or elsewhere, are subject to inspection only upon an order of the court for good cause shown.

2. The donor of semen provided to a licensed physician for use in artificial insemination of a married woman other than the donor’s wife is treated in law as if he were not the natural father of a child thereby conceived.
Chapter 210, §210.824.

Determination of father and child relationship, who may bring action, when action may be brought. (1998)

1. A child, his natural mother, a man presumed to be his father under subsection 1 of section 210.822, a man alleging himself to be a father, any person having physical or legal custody of a child for a period of more than sixty days or the division of child support enforcement may bring an action at any time for the purpose of declaring the existence or nonexistence of the father and child relationship presumed under subsection 1 of section 210.822.

2. An action to determine the existence of the father and child relationship with respect to a child who has no presumed father under section 210.822 may be brought by the child, the mother or the person who has legal custody of the child, any person having physical or legal custody of a child for a period of more than sixty days, the division of child support enforcement, the personal representative or a parent of the mother if the mother has died, a man alleging himself to be the father, or the personal representative or a parent of the alleged father if the alleged father has died or is a minor.

3. Regardless of its terms, an agreement, other than an agreement approved by the court in accordance with subsection 2 of section 210.838, between an alleged or presumed father and the mother or child, does not bar an action under this section.

4. If an action under this section is brought before the birth of the child, all proceedings shall be stayed until after the birth, except service of process and the taking of depositions to perpetuate testimony.
Chapter 210, §210.826.

Statute of limitations, exception. (1993)

1. An action to determine the existence of the father and child relationship as to a child who has no presumed father under section 210.822 may not be brought later than eighteen years after the birth of the child, except that an action to determine the existence of the father and child relationship as to a child who has no presumed father under the provisions of section 210.822 may be brought by the child within three years after such child attains the age of eighteen.

2. A parent’s retroactive liability to another party for reimbursement of necessary support provided by that party to the child for whom a parent and child relationship is established under sections 210.817 to 210.852 is limited to a period of five years next preceding the commencement of the action.

3. Sections 210.826 and 210.828 do not extend the time within which a right of inheritance or a right to a succession may be asserted beyond the time provided by law relating to distribution and closing of decedents’ estates or to the determination of heirship, or otherwise.
Chapter 210, §210.828.

Jurisdiction, venue, severance–effect of failure to join action for necessaries. (1994)

1. The circuit court has jurisdiction of an action brought under sections 210.817 to 210.852. The action may be joined by separate document with an action for dissolution of marriage, annulment, separate maintenance, support, custody or visitation, except that in any action instituted at the request of the division of child support enforcement by a prosecuting or circuit attorney or attorney under contract with such division, if an action for dissolution, annulment, separate maintenance, custody or visitation is joined hereunder, it shall be severed upon request. Failure to join an action for reimbursement of necessaries provided with an action brought under sections 210.817 to 210.852 shall not be a bar to subsequently bringing such an action for reimbursement of necessaries provided.

2. A person who has sexual intercourse in this state thereby submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state to an action brought under sections 210.817 to 210.852 with respect to a child who may have been conceived by that act of intercourse. In addition to any other method provided by rule or statute, including sections 506.160 and 506.510, RSMo, personal jurisdiction may be acquired by personal service of summons outside this state or by certified mail with proof of actual receipt.

3. Notwithstanding subsection 2 of this section, personal jurisdiction may be asserted over any person if there is any basis consistent with the constitution of this state or the United States.

4. An action brought under sections 210.817 to 210.852 may be brought in the county in which the child resides, the mother resides, or the alleged father resides or is found or, if the father is deceased, in which proceedings for probate of his estate have been or could be commenced.
Chapter 210, §210.829.

Parties–guardian ad litem, when appointed. (1998)
The child shall be made a party to any action commenced under sections 210.817 to 210.852. If he is a minor, he may be represented by a next friend appointed for him for any such action. The child’s mother or father or the division of child support enforcement or any person having physical or legal custody of the child may represent him as his next friend. A guardian ad litem shall be appointed for the child only if child abuse or neglect is alleged, or if the child is named as a defendant, or if the court determines that the interests of the child and his next friend are in conflict. The natural mother, each man presumed to be the father under section 210.822, and each man alleged to be the natural father, shall be made parties or, if not subject to the jurisdiction of the court, shall be given notice of the action in a manner prescribed by the court and an opportunity to be heard. The court may align the parties.
Chapter 210, §210.830.

Pretrial proceedings, informal hearing before master–testimony of party may be compelled, when–physician testimony not privileged, when –bond required when, amount–temporary support order issued, when. (1997)

1. As soon as practicable after an action to declare the existence or nonexistence of the father and child relationship has been brought, the court may order that an informal hearing be held before a master. The public shall be barred from the hearing. A record of the proceeding or any portion of a proceeding shall be kept if any party requests or the court orders. Rules of evidence need not be observed.

2. Upon the refusal of any witness, including a party, to testify under oath or produce evidence, the court may order such witness to testify under oath and produce evidence concerning all relevant facts. If the refusal is on the ground that the witness’ testimony or evidence might tend to incriminate the witness, the court may order that such testimony or evidence is inadmissible in any criminal action against the witness. If the court enters such order, the refusal of a witness to obey an order to testify or produce evidence is civil contempt of court.

3. Testimony of a physician concerning the medical circumstances of the pregnancy and the condition and characteristics of the child upon birth is not privileged.

4. Upon motion of a party, the court may require a presumed father to post bond with the court in an amount sufficient to guarantee payment of support for the period between the date the action is commenced and the expected date of final disposition of the action. In determining the amount of bond, the court shall consider the factors set forth in subsection 5 of section 210.841.

5. Upon motion of a party, the court shall enter a temporary support order requiring the provision of child support pending the final determination of parentage if there is clear and convincing evidence establishing a presumption of paternity under section 210.822 or an acknowledgment pursuant to section 210.823. In determining the amount of such child support, the court shall comply with subsection 5 of section 210.841. The order shall be retroactive to the later of the date of service of the motion or the date that any presumption pursuant to section 210.822 or an acknowledgment pursuant to section 210.823 first arose.
Chapter 210, §210.832.

Blood tests–expert defined. (1997)

1. The court may, and upon request of any party shall require the child, mother, alleged father, any presumed father who is a party to the action, and any male witness who testifies or shall testify about his sexual relations with the mother at the possible time of conception, to submit to blood tests. The tests shall be performed by an expert as defined in subsection 7 of this section.

2. The court, upon reasonable request by a party, may order that independent tests be performed by other experts as defined in this section.

3. If any party refuses to submit to blood tests ordered by the court pursuant to subsection 1 or 2 of this section, such refusal shall constitute civil contempt of court and shall be admissible as evidence in the action. In addition, upon motion and reasonable notice to the party refusing to submit to blood tests, the court shall, except for good cause shown, enter an order striking the party’s pleadings and rendering a judgment by default on the issue of the existence of the parent-and-child relationship.

4. Whenever the court finds that the results of the blood tests show that a person presumed or alleged to be the father of the child is not the father of such child, such evidence shall be conclusive of nonpaternity and the court shall dismiss the action as to that party, and the cost of such blood tests shall be assessed against the party instituting the action unless the division of child support enforcement, through a prosecuting attorney or circuit attorney or other attorney under contract with such division, is a party to such action, in which case the cost of such blood tests shall be assessed against the state. The court shall order the state to pay reasonable attorney’s fees for counsel and the costs of any blood tests where such blood tests show that the person presumed or alleged to be the father of the child is not the father of such child and the state proceeds further in an action pursuant to sections 210.817 to 210.852 to attempt to establish that such person is the father of the child.

5. Certified documentation of the chain of custody of the blood or tissue specimens is competent evidence to establish such chain of custody. An expert’s report shall be admitted at trial as evidence of the test results stated therein without the need for foundation testimony or other proof of authenticity or accuracy, unless a written motion containing specific factual allegations challenging the testing procedures, the chain of custody of the blood or tissue specimens, or the results has been filed and served on each party, and the motion is sustained by the court or an administrative agency not less than thirty days before the trial.

6. The provisions of subsection 5 of this section shall also apply when the blood tests were not ordered by the court, if the court finds that the tests were conducted by an expert as defined in subsection 7 of this section.

7. As used in sections 210.817 to 210.852, the term “expert” shall include, but not be limited to, a person who performs or analyzes a genetic test of a type generally acknowledged as reliable by accreditation bodies designated by the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 666(a) and performed by a laboratory approved by such accreditation bodies.
Chapter 210, §210.834.

Evidence relating to paternity. (1987)
Evidence relating to paternity may include:

(1) Evidence of sexual intercourse between the mother and the alleged father during the possible time of conception of the child;

(2) An expert’s opinion concerning the probability of the alleged father’s paternity of the child based upon the duration of the mother’s pregnancy;

(3) Blood test results, weighed in accordance with the evidence of the statistical probability of the alleged father’s paternity of the child;

(4) Medical or anthropological evidence relating to the alleged father’s paternity of the child based on tests performed by experts; and

(5) All other evidence relevant to the issue of the paternity of the child.
Chapter 210, §210.836.

Pretrial recommendation–actions, effect of party’s refusal to accept. (1987)

1. If a pretrial hearing is conducted under section 210.832, the master conducting the hearing shall, on the basis of the information at the pretrial hearing, evaluate the probability of determining the existence or nonexistence of the father and child relationship in a trial and whether a judicial declaration of the relationship would be in the best interests of the child. On the basis of the evaluation, an appropriate recommendation for settlement shall be made to the parties, which may include either of the following:

(1) That the action be dismissed with or without prejudice; or

(2) That the alleged father voluntarily acknowledge his paternity of the child.

2. If the parties accept a recommendation made in accordance with subsection 1 of this section, judgment shall be entered accordingly.

3. If a party refuses to accept a recommendation made under subsection 1 of this section, and blood tests have not been taken, the court shall require the parties to submit to blood tests, if practicable. Thereafter, the master shall make an appropriate final recommendation. If a party refuses to accept the final recommendation, the action shall be set for trial.

4. The guardian ad litem may accept or refuse to accept a recommendation under this section.

5. The informal hearing may be terminated and the action set for trial if the master conducting the hearing finds it unlikely that all parties would accept a recommendation he might make under subsection 1 or 3 of this section.
Chapter 210, §210.838.

Civil action, procedure–admissibility of evidence, parties –default judgment may be entered, when. (1997)

1. An action filed pursuant to sections 210.817 to 210.852 is a civil action governed by the rules of civil procedure. The mother of the child and the alleged father are competent to testify and may be compelled to testify. Subsections 2 and 3 of section 210.832 and sections 210.834 and 210.836 apply.

2. Testimony relating to sexual access to the mother at a time other than the probable period of conception of the child is inadmissible in evidence.

3. In an action against an alleged or presumed father, evidence offered by him with respect to a man who is not subject to the jurisdiction of the court concerning his sexual intercourse with the mother at or about the probable period of conception of the child is admissible in evidence only if he has undergone and made available to the court the results of blood tests which do not exclude the possibility of his paternity of the child. A man who is identified and subject to the jurisdiction of the court shall be made a defendant in the action not less than sixty days prior to trial by  he party identifying him. Where such man is not subject to the jurisdiction of the court, the alleged or presumed father shall provide all other parties with the name and address of the man at least thirty days prior to trial. If a male witness is produced at trial for the purpose stated in this subsection, but the party calling the witness failed to implead such male witness as a party defendant or provide the notice required to all other parties, the court may adjourn the proceeding to take a blood test of the witness prior to receiving his testimony, if the court finds that the party calling the witness acted in good faith. If the court determines that the party calling the witness did not act in good faith as to the required notice, the court shall not grant a continuance, and such witness shall be incompetent to testify.

4. No party shall have a right to trial by jury. Unless a presumption applies pursuant to section 210.822, the burden of proof on all issues shall be preponderance of the evidence.

5. If any party fails to file an answer or otherwise appear in response to an action commenced pursuant to sections 210.817 to 210.852 within the time prescribed by law or rules of practice of the court, the court shall enter judgment against such party by default.

6. Copies of any paid or unpaid bill for pregnancy, childbirth or genetic testing shall be admitted as evidence without requiring third-party foundation testimony if such copies have been provided to all parties not less than seven days prior to trial. Such copies shall constitute prima facie evidence of the amounts incurred for such services or testing.
Chapter 210, §210.839.

Judgment or order, contents–amount of support, presumption. (1997)

1. The judgment or order of the court determining the existence or nonexistence of the parent and child relationship is determinative for all purposes.

2. If the judgment or order of the court varies with the child’s birth certificate, the court shall order that an amended birth registration be made pursuant to section 210.849.

3. The judgment or order shall contain the Social Security number of each party and may contain any other provision directed against the appropriate party to the proceeding concerning:

(1) The duty of support;

(2) The custody and guardianship of the child;

(3) Visitation privileges with the child;

(4) The furnishing of bond or other security for the payment of the judgment; or

(5) Any matter in the best interest of the child.

The judgment or order may direct the father to pay the reasonable expenses of the mother’s pregnancy and confinement.

4. Support judgments or orders ordinarily shall be for periodic payments. In the best interests of the child, a lump sum payment or the purchase of an annuity may be ordered in lieu of periodic payments of support. The court may limit the father’s liability for past support of the child to the proportion of the expenses already incurred that the court deems just.

5. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that the amount of support that would result from the application of supreme court rule 88.01 is the correct amount of child support to be awarded. A written finding or specific finding on the record that the application of supreme court rule 88.01 would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case, after considering all relevant factors including the factors in subsection 6 of this section, shall be sufficient to rebut the presumption in the case.

6. In determining the amount to be paid by a parent for support of the child and the period during which the duty of support is owed, the court shall consider all relevant facts, including:

(1) The needs of the child;

(2) The standard of living and circumstances of the parents;

(3) The relative financial means of the parents;

(4) The earning ability of the parents;

(5) The need and capacity of the child for education, including higher education;

(6) The age of the child;

(7) The financial resources and earning capacity of the child;

(8) The responsibility of the parents for the support of other children;

(9) The value of the services contributed by the custodial parent; and

(10) The standard of living and circumstances of the family prior to the dissolution of marriage of parents or during the period of cohabitation of the parents.

7. Any award for periodic child support may be retroactive to the date of service of the original petition upon the obligor.
Chapter 210, §210.841.

Costs. (1997)
The court may enter judgment in the amount of the reasonable fees for counsel, experts, the child’s guardian ad litem and other costs of the action and pretrial proceedings, including blood tests, to be paid by the parties in such proportions and at such times as determined by the court, except that:

(1) No fees or costs shall be assessed to an indigent party as a condition precedent to blood tests; and

(2) No such costs, other than the costs of blood tests and any other fees or charges assessed pursuant to subsection 4 of section 210.834, shall be assessed to the state of Missouri or a political subdivision thereof.
Chapter 210, §210.842.

Enforcement of judgment or order–payments to be made to circuit clerk or family support payment center–failure to comply, civil contempt. (1999)

1. If the existence of a parent and child relationship is declared, and a duty of support has been established pursuant to sections 210.817 to 210.852, the support obligation may be enforced in the same or in other appropriate proceedings by the mother, the child, the division of child support enforcement, or any other public agency that has furnished or may furnish the reasonable expenses of pregnancy, confinement, education, support, or funeral, or by any other person, including a private agency, to the extent he or she has furnished or is furnishing these expenses.

2. The court shall order that support payments be made to the clerk of the circuit court as trustee for remittance to the person entitled to receive the payments, or where that person has assigned his or her support rights to the division of family services pursuant to section 208.040, RSMo, as trustee for remittance to the division, as long as the trusteeship remains in effect. Effective October 1, 1999, the court shall order support payments to be made to the family support payment center as required in section 454.530, RSMo, as trustee for remittance to the person entitled to receive the payments.

3. Willful failure to obey any judgment or order of the court entered pursuant to this section is a civil contempt of court. Section 452.350, RSMo, applies to support orders entered pursuant to this section, and all administrative and judicial remedies for the enforcements of judgments shall apply.
Chapter 210, §210.843.

Applicability of certain statutes. (1998)
In a proceeding to determine the existence of the parent and child relationship brought pursuant to the provisions of sections 454.010 to 454.360, RSMo, or pursuant to the provisions of sections 454.850 to 454.997, RSMo, the provisions of sections 210.817, 210.822 and 210.834 shall apply, but no other provisions of sections 210.818 through 210.852 shall apply.
Chapter 210, §210.844.

Modification of decree, when–procedure, burden. (1993)

1. The provisions of any decree respecting support may be modified only upon a showing of changed circumstances so substantial and continuing as to make the terms unreasonable. In a proceeding for modifications of any child support award, the court, in determining whether or not a substantial change in circumstances has occurred, shall consider all financial resources of both parties, including the extent to which the reasonable expenses of either party are, or should be, shared by a spouse or other person with whom he cohabits, and the earning capacity of a party who is not employed. If the application of the guidelines and criteria set forth in supreme court rule 88.01 to the financial circumstances of the parties would result in a change of child support from the existing amount by twenty percent or more, then a prima facie showing has been made of a change of circumstances so substantial and continuing as to make the present terms unreasonable.

2. When the party seeking modification has met the burden of proof set forth in subsection 1 of this section, the child support shall be determined in conformity with criteria set forth in supreme court rule 88.01.
Chapter 210, §210.845.

Hearings and records, confidentiality–inspection allowed, when. (1993)
Notwithstanding any other law concerning public hearings and records, any hearing or trial held under sections 210.817 to 210.852 shall be held in closed court without admittance of any person other than those necessary to the action or proceeding. All papers and records, other than the interlocutory or final judgment, pertaining to the action or proceeding, whether part of the permanent record of the court, are subject to inspection only by the prosecuting or circuit attorney or attorney under contract with the division of child support enforcement or upon the consent of the court and all interested persons, or in exceptional cases only upon order of the court for good cause shown.
Chapter 210, §210.846.

Grandparents liable for support payments for grandchildren, when–amount of support, relevant factors. (1994)

1. In any action to determine child support needs and obligations for a child whose alleged father is less than eighteen years old, the parents of the alleged father and the parents of the mother, if the mother is also less than eighteen years old, shall be made joint parties and may be jointly liable for the support ordered by the court to the child until both the father and the mother reach the age of eighteen years. The court shall, based on the needs of the child, determine the amount of child support, including in-kind support being provided, to be paid by the alleged father who is under eighteen years of age and the amount of such payment which shall be paid by the parents of the alleged father, which shall not exceed the amount of the standard of need of the state’s public assistance plan for one person. The court shall, based on the needs of the child, determine the amount of child support, including in-kind support being provided, to be paid by the mother who is under eighteen years of age and the amount of such payment which shall be paid by the parents of the mother, which shall not exceed the amount of the standard of need of the state’s public assistance plan for one person.

2. The amount of the support payments to be paid pursuant to this section shall be determined pursuant to the provisions of section 210.841, except that in determining the amount to be paid by a father or mother less than eighteen years old or parent of such father or mother, the court shall also consider the following relevant facts:

(1) The standard of living and circumstances of the parents of the father less than eighteen years of age and the parents of the mother less than eighteen years of age;

(2) The relative financial means of the parents of the father less than eighteen years of age and the parents of the mother less than eighteen years of age; and

(3) The responsibility of the parents of the father less than eighteen years of age and the parents of the mother less than eighteen years of age for the support of other children.

3. The provisions of Missouri supreme court rule 88.01 shall not apply when a court determines the support obligation owed by the parents of a teen parent under eighteen years of age, pursuant to this section.
Chapter 210, §210.847.

Action to declare mother and child relationship. (1987)
Any interested party may bring an action to determine the existence or nonexistence of a mother and child relationship. Insofar as possible, the provisions of sections 210.817 to 210.852 applicable to the father and child relationship apply to the mother and child relationship.
Chapter 210, §210.848.

Birth records. (1987)
Upon order of a court of this state or upon request of a court or authorized administrative agency of another state, the bureau shall prepare an amended birth certificate consistent with the findings of the court.
Chapter 210, §210.849.

Uniformity of application and construction. (1987)
The provisions of sections 210.817 to 210.852 shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of sections 210.817 to 210.852 among the states enacting it.
Chapter 210, §210.850.

Citation of law. (1987)
Sections 210.817 to 210.852 may be cited as the “Uniform Parentage Act”.
Chapter 210, §210.851.

Application to actions commenced prior to effective date. (1987)
Unless agreed to by the parties and the court, the provisions of sections 210.817 to 210.852 shall not apply to proceedings to determine paternity commenced prior to July 15, 1987.
Chapter 210, §210.852.

Parenting plan in paternity actions. (1999)
Upon a finding of paternity by a court, the parties to a paternity action may submit, either separately or jointly, a parenting plan, as defined in section 452.310, RSMo, regarding the child who is the subject of such paternity action. If a parenting plan is submitted, the court shall order a parenting plan for such child. If the court does not have proper jurisdiction, the court shall transfer the case to an appropriate court having jurisdiction on the matter.
Chapter 210, §210.853.


Inside Missouri Paternity Law