At-Home Paternity Testing in Michigan: Laws, the Revocation of Paternity Act, and Your Options

Michigan has no restrictions on at-home paternity testing. You can order a kit, collect DNA samples at home, and mail them to a lab without any state-level legal barriers. If you need a private answer about biological paternity, the process is straightforward and available to any Michigan resident.

But Michigan has a law that most other states don't: the Revocation of Paternity Act. This is a specific statute that lays out when and how a man can revoke established paternity — something that in other states requires navigating general fraud and equity principles with no clear roadmap. Michigan put the rules in writing. There are deadlines, there are requirements, and there are consequences for missing them. If you're in a situation where paternity has already been established and you believe it's wrong, this law matters.

Below: how Michigan handles paternity, what the Revocation of Paternity Act means in practice, and where at-home testing fits in.

How Michigan Law Defines Paternity

Michigan's paternity laws are found primarily in the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL), Chapter 722, which covers paternity, child support, and related proceedings. The law establishes presumptions about who is legally recognized as a child's father.

Marital presumption: If a child is born during a marriage, Michigan law presumes the husband is the father. The husband's name goes on the birth certificate automatically, and he has full legal rights and responsibilities from the moment the child is born. This presumption is strong, but Michigan provides specific mechanisms to challenge it — more on that below.

Unmarried parents: When the parents are not married, there is no automatic presumption of paternity. The biological father must take affirmative steps to establish a legal relationship with the child. Michigan provides two main paths: a voluntary acknowledgment signed by both parents, or a court order establishing paternity. Unlike Georgia, which requires a separate legitimation step for unmarried fathers to gain full parental rights, Michigan grants legal parental rights once paternity is established through either method.

Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment in Michigan

For unmarried parents who agree on who the father is, Michigan offers an Acknowledgment of Parentage. This is the most common way to establish paternity without going to court.

Michigan hospitals are required to provide the Acknowledgment of Parentage form to unmarried parents at the time of birth. Both the mother and the father sign the form voluntarily. Once it's signed and filed with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Division of Vital Records, the father's name goes on the birth certificate. The acknowledgment has the same legal effect as a court order establishing paternity.

A few important details about the Acknowledgment of Parentage in Michigan:

• Both parents must sign voluntarily. Neither parent can be pressured or coerced into signing.
• The form doesn't have to be signed at the hospital. If parents didn't complete it at birth, they can sign an Acknowledgment of Parentage later and file it with MDHHS.
• Both parents must receive information about the legal consequences of signing before they do so. Michigan law requires that parents be informed of their rights and the implications of establishing paternity through this form.

For more on what happens at the hospital when a child is born, see our article on whether hospitals do paternity tests at birth.

Rescinding or Challenging a Paternity Acknowledgment

What happens if someone signs an Acknowledgment of Parentage and later questions whether the biological information is accurate? Michigan provides a window to change course, but the timeline is strict.

The 60-Day Rescission Period

Either parent can rescind (cancel) the Acknowledgment of Parentage within 60 days of signing it. No court hearing is required. You file a rescission with the MDHHS Division of Vital Records, and the acknowledgment is voided. After those 60 days, the rescission window closes.

Court Challenge After 60 Days

Once the 60-day window passes, the only way to challenge an Acknowledgment of Parentage is through the courts. The person challenging it must demonstrate fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. "I changed my mind" or "I'm not sure anymore" won't be enough. You would need to present evidence — typically DNA test results — showing that the signed acknowledgment was based on incorrect information.

This is one reason some people choose to take a home paternity test before signing any legal documents. For $79, you can get a private answer about biological paternity before committing to a legal acknowledgment that becomes difficult to undo.

Michigan's Revocation of Paternity Act

This is where Michigan stands apart from most other states. In 2012, Michigan enacted the Revocation of Paternity Act (MCL 722.1431 et seq.), creating a specific statutory framework for revoking established paternity. Most states leave this to general court principles and case law, which means outcomes are unpredictable. Michigan wrote out the rules.

The Act applies to situations where paternity has already been legally established — whether through a marriage presumption, an Acknowledgment of Parentage, or a court order — and someone later has reason to believe the established father is not the biological father.

Who can file:

• The child's mother
• The man presumed or established as the father
• A man claiming to be the child's biological father (the alleged father)
• In some cases, a prosecuting attorney acting on behalf of the state

The deadlines are strict:

• An action to revoke paternity must generally be filed within three years of the child's birth.
• However, if new evidence comes to light after that three-year window — such as DNA test results obtained later — a party may file within one year of discovering that new evidence.
• These deadlines are not flexible. Miss them and the court will not hear your case.

What you need to show:

• The central requirement is genetic testing that excludes the established father as the biological parent. The Act was built around DNA evidence. A home test won't satisfy this requirement on its own — the court will typically order its own testing or require results from a test with full chain of custody.
• The court also considers the best interests of the child, including the existing relationship between the child and the established father, whether the biological father is available and willing to assume parental responsibilities, and the child's age and adjustment.

What revocation means:

If the court grants the revocation, the established father is no longer legally recognized as the child's parent. His name can be removed from the birth certificate. Child support obligations can be terminated going forward (though courts generally will not order repayment of support already paid). If the biological father is identified and willing, paternity can be re-established in his name.

The Revocation of Paternity Act doesn't make the process easy — it makes it defined. In states without a similar law, men who discover they're not the biological father often face years of uncertain litigation with no clear path forward. Michigan at least tells you what the rules are.

Court-Ordered Paternity Testing in Michigan

When paternity is disputed and can't be resolved voluntarily, Michigan courts can order genetic testing. Under MCL 722.716, a court can order DNA testing to determine whether a man is the biological father of a child.

Who can petition for court-ordered testing in Michigan:

• The child's mother
• A man claiming to be the biological father
• The child's legal guardian or next friend
• The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, acting through the Office of Child Support
• The prosecuting attorney

Once the court issues an order, all parties must comply. Refusing a court-ordered DNA test in Michigan can result in a default judgment of paternity. That means if the alleged father refuses to submit to testing, the court can simply declare him the legal father based on the refusal. Michigan courts don't have patience for non-compliance when a child's welfare and legal rights are at stake.

Court-ordered testing requires full chain of custody documentation. A trained collector handles the sample collection at an approved facility, verifies each participant's identity with government-issued photo ID, and seals everything in tamper-evident packaging. The results go directly to the court.

For a full breakdown of how court-ordered testing works, see our article on court-ordered paternity tests: process, cost, timeline, and what to expect.

Michigan Office of Child Support (OCS)

The Michigan Office of Child Support (OCS) operates under the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). OCS handles a significant share of paternity cases in the state, especially those connected to child support.

OCS can:

• Establish paternity for children born to unmarried parents
• Order genetic testing when paternity is in question
• File paternity actions through the local prosecuting attorney's office
• Set up and enforce child support orders once paternity is confirmed

If a custodial parent applies for child support through OCS and the father hasn't been legally established, OCS will initiate the paternity process. This can include requesting DNA testing from the alleged father. If he refuses to cooperate, OCS can take the case to court through the local prosecutor.

These services are provided at no cost to the custodial parent. For families who can't afford a private attorney, OCS is often the most practical path to establishing paternity and getting a child support order in place. More information is available through the MDHHS website.

For more on how paternity and child support connect, see our article on paternity tests for child support.

At-Home vs. Legal Paternity Testing in Michigan

This is the distinction that matters most when deciding which type of test to take. Michigan does not restrict at-home DNA testing the way New York does. You can freely order a home test kit, collect cheek swab samples yourself, and mail them back to a lab. No doctor's order needed. No state permissions required.

But there's one critical limitation:

At-home paternity test results are not admissible in Michigan courts.

Home test results are considered "peace of mind" testing. They give you a private, accurate answer about biological paternity, but because there's no chain of custody — no third-party verification of who provided the samples — a Michigan court won't accept them as evidence. This is particularly relevant if you're considering a claim under the Revocation of Paternity Act, which requires genetic testing that meets evidentiary standards.

If you need results for a legal matter in Michigan — child support, custody, revoking paternity, contesting an Acknowledgment of Parentage, or getting a name on a birth certificate — you'll need a legal paternity test with full chain of custody documentation. That means professional sample collection at an approved facility with ID verification and witnessed handling.

That said, many people in Michigan start with a home test first. It costs a fraction of what legal testing runs, results come back quickly, and it helps you understand where things stand before spending money on attorneys and court proceedings. If the home test confirms what you suspected, you go into the legal process better informed. If it surprises you, you can adjust your plans before committing to anything. We cover this in more detail in our comparison of home vs. legal paternity testing.

How At-Home DNA Testing Works

The DNA testing process is the same whether you're in Michigan or anywhere else in the country:

1. Order your kit. You can order a home paternity test kit from US Diagnostics Center for $79. The kit ships to your Michigan address and includes a prepaid return envelope for mailing your samples back.
2. Collect samples. The kit includes cheek swabs for the alleged father and the child. You rub the swab on the inside of each person's cheek for about 30 seconds. No blood, no needles, no pain.
3. Mail samples back. Seal the samples in the provided packaging and drop the prepaid envelope in the mail.
4. Lab analysis. Once the lab receives your samples, processing takes 2-3 business days. Our lab analyzes up to 28 genetic markers — well above the industry standard of 20 or more markers.
5. Get your results. Results are delivered securely online. You'll see either an inclusion (99.99% or greater probability of paternity) or an exclusion (0% probability). There's no ambiguity.

The mother's sample is not required but can strengthen the analysis. A mother's kit can be added during checkout if you want to include it. Express result options are also available during checkout for faster turnaround.

Ordering a Test in Michigan

US Diagnostics Center ships nationwide, and Michigan residents can order directly from our website. There are no state-level restrictions on purchasing or using an at-home DNA test kit in Michigan. Your kit arrives in discreet packaging with everything you need to collect samples and send them back.

We are BBB Accredited with an A- rating. If you have questions about your specific situation before ordering, our team is available through our contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a home paternity test as evidence in a Michigan court?

No. Michigan courts require chain of custody documentation for DNA evidence to be admissible. A home test doesn't include witnessed collection, ID verification, or tamper-evident sample handling. Home test results are accurate for personal knowledge, but they won't be accepted as evidence in any Michigan legal proceeding — including Revocation of Paternity Act cases. You would need a legal paternity test with full chain of custody for court use.

What is the Revocation of Paternity Act and how does it work?

The Revocation of Paternity Act (MCL 722.1431 et seq.) is a Michigan law that provides a specific legal process for revoking established paternity. It allows the mother, the established father, an alleged biological father, or a prosecuting attorney to file an action asking the court to revoke paternity. You must generally file within three years of the child's birth, or within one year of discovering new evidence (such as DNA test results). The court requires genetic testing that excludes the established father and considers the child's best interests before granting revocation.

How long do I have to rescind an Acknowledgment of Parentage in Michigan?

You have 60 days from the date of signing to rescind the acknowledgment without going to court. After 60 days, the only way to challenge it is by filing a court action and proving fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. If you're within the three-year window, you may also be able to pursue a claim under the Revocation of Paternity Act if DNA testing excludes the acknowledged father.

Does the Michigan Office of Child Support provide free paternity testing?

The Michigan Office of Child Support (OCS) can arrange for genetic testing as part of a child support case at no cost to the custodial parent. If you're applying for child support through OCS and the father hasn't been legally established, OCS can initiate paternity proceedings, order DNA testing, and pursue a child support order on your behalf through the local prosecuting attorney.

What happens if someone refuses a court-ordered paternity test in Michigan?

Under MCL 722.716, refusing a court-ordered genetic test can result in a default judgment of paternity. That means the judge can declare the man to be the legal father based on his refusal to participate in testing. Michigan courts take these orders seriously, and refusing to comply typically works against the person who refuses.

Can I file under the Revocation of Paternity Act after the three-year deadline?

Potentially, but only under limited circumstances. If you discover new evidence — typically DNA test results — after the three-year window, you may file within one year of that discovery. Outside of that exception, the deadlines are firm. The court will not hear a revocation case filed after the applicable deadline has passed, regardless of the circumstances. If you suspect paternity may be incorrect, acting sooner rather than later is important.

Related Reading

• Home Paternity Test vs. Legal Paternity Test: What Is the Difference?
• Court-Ordered Paternity Test: Process, Cost, Timeline, and What to Expect
• Do Hospitals Do Paternity Tests at Birth?
• How DNA Testing Works: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
• Paternity Test for Child Support: What Courts Require and How It Works
• At-Home Paternity Testing in New York: What You Need to Know

This article is part of our Paternity Testing: The Complete Guide guide.