How to Rescind an Acknowledgment of Paternity in Connecticut: The 60-Day Rule Explained

Signing an Acknowledgment of Parentage (AOP) is a massive life decision. Sometimes, men sign this document at the hospital under immense emotional pressure, only to develop doubts later. If you live in Connecticut, the law provides a very strict, temporary window for you to cancel this legal commitment. Under state law, you have exactly 60 days to rescind the AOP without having to undergo a stressful court battle. If you are in Hartford, Bridgeport, or Waterbury, understanding the mechanics of this 60-day rule is essential for protecting your legal and financial future.

Step-by-Step Process to Rescind an AOP in CT

Rescinding an AOP requires strict adherence to state procedures. You cannot simply cross your name off the birth certificate or tell the mother you changed your mind. It must be done officially through the state government or the family court.

Step 1: The Strict 60-Day Window

Under C.G.S. § 46b-482, any signatory who executes an AOP has the absolute right to rescind it before the earlier of 60 days after the effective date of the acknowledgment or the date of the first court hearing relating to the child (such as a child support proceeding). During this 60-day period, you do not need to prove that you were lied to, and you do not need DNA evidence. You simply have to file the correct paperwork in time.

Step 2: Submitting the Rescission Form to CT DPH

To cancel the AOP within the window, you must complete Form VS-57, Connecticut, Department of Public Health, Rescission of Acknowledgment of Parentage Form. This form must be signed, attested by a notarial officer or witnessed, and filed with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford (DPH). It must be received by the DPH on or before the 60th day. Sending it to the hospital where the child was born is not sufficient.

Step 3: Rules for Young and Teen Fathers

Young fathers often feel intensely pressured by family members or hospital staff to sign an AOP at birth. However, Connecticut law provides no tolling or extension for minors. Under C.G.S. § 46b-478(c), an acknowledgment signed by a minor is fully valid, and under C.G.S. § 46b-482, teen fathers are held to the exact same strict 60-day rescission window as adults. The deadline does not wait for an 18th birthday, so young parents must act immediately if they have doubts.

Step 4: Dealing with Contrary Private DNA Results

Many men take a private commercial DNA test after returning home. If the test reveals you are not the biological father, you must still file the Rescission form within the 60 days. The DNA test alone does not automatically cancel the AOP. If the 60 days have passed, that private DNA test will be your primary evidence to petition the court, but the legal hurdle becomes much higher.

Step 5: Men Who Signed While Incarcerated

Incarcerated fathers sometimes sign AOPs brought to them by the mother. Being in a correctional facility does not pause the 60-day clock for adults. If you signed while in jail and wish to rescind, you must work with the facility's notary and mail the rescission form to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford immediately.

Step 6: Filing a Petition in Family Court (After 60 Days)

If the 60-day window has expired, the AOP has the weight of a final court judgment under C.G.S. § 46b-479. You can no longer simply fill out a form to cancel it. You must hire a local attorney from our US Lawyers Directory and file a formal court challenge under C.G.S. § 46b-483 in the Superior Court. You will now have the burden to prove that you signed the document due to fraud, duress, or a material mistake of fact.

How Much Does it Cost in Connecticut?

Filing the rescission form with the DPH within the 60-day window is completely free under C.G.S. § 46b-480, though you may pay a few dollars for notary services. However, if you miss the 60-day window and must challenge the acknowledgment in the Superior Court, the court entry fee for an original action is $360 under C.G.S. § 52-259(a) (or $180 if filed as a post-judgment family motion under C.G.S. § 52-259c(a)). Hiring a family law attorney to litigate fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,000, depending on the complexity of the case.

How Long Does the Process Take?

If you file within the 60-day window, the DPH processes the rescission in a matter of weeks, effectively removing your legal status as the father. If you have to go to court after the 60 days, the litigation process can easily drag on for 4 to 8 months as the court orders official, court-approved DNA testing and schedules hearings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)