Our Contact Centre will be closed from 5pm on 24 December 2024, reopening at 8am on 3 January 2025. National Office (Aitken Street, Wellington) reception will be closed from 5pm on Friday 20 December, reopening at 8am on Monday 6 January 2025. For more information, see Court and Tribunal hours
If someone names you in an application for a Paternity Order or a Declaration of Paternity you will be served (given in person) the documents so that you can decide how to respond.
You must respond within 21 days unless the court has told you otherwise.
If you don’t respond to an application, the judge could decide the case without hearing your side.
If you decide to defend yourself against the application you’ll need to fill out some forms.
If you need help to fill in the forms you can call us or visit your local court.
Find out more about affidavits and statutory declarations
Note: When you print the forms it's important to print them single sided.
A lawyer can help you. If you can’t afford a lawyer you may be able to get:
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