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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>59276</law_id><section_number>20-49.4</section_number><catch_line>Evidence relating to parentage</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="20">Domestic Relations</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="3.1">Proceedings to Determine Parentage</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The <span class="dictionary">standard of proof</span> in any action to establish parentage shall be by clear and convincing <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>. Any statements made by a parent in a proceeding held pursuant to this chapter shall be inadmissible in a subsequent criminal proceeding relating to the conception of a child, except for purposes of <span class="dictionary">impeachment</span>. All relevant <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> on the <span class="dictionary">issue</span> of paternity shall be <span class="dictionary">admissible</span>. Such <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> <span class="dictionary">Evidence</span> of open cohabitation or sexual intercourse between the known parent and the alleged parent at the probable time of conception; <a id="paragraph-217265" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-49.4/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Medical or anthropological <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> relating to the alleged parentage of the child based on tests performed by experts. If a person has been identified by the mother as the putative father of the child, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may, and upon request of a <span class="dictionary">party</span> shall, require the child, the known parent, and the alleged parent to submit to appropriate tests; <a id="paragraph-217266" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-49.4/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The results of scientifically reliable genetic tests, including blood tests, if available, weighted with all the <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>; <a id="paragraph-217267" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-49.4/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> <span class="dictionary">Evidence</span> of the alleged parent consenting to or acknowledging, by a general course of conduct, the common use of such parent&#x2019;s surname by the child; <a id="paragraph-217268" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-49.4/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> <span class="dictionary">Evidence</span> of the alleged parent claiming the child as his child on any statement, tax return or other document filed by him with any state, local or federal government or any agency thereof; <a id="paragraph-217269" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-49.4/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> A true copy of an acknowledgment pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Support of children of unwed parents by the father; testimony under oath" href="/20-49.5/">20-49.5</a>; and <a id="paragraph-217270" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-49.4/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> An admission by a male between the ages of fourteen and eighteen pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Proceedings to establish paternity or enforce support obligations of males between the ages of fourteen and eighteen" href="/20-49.6/">20-49.6</a>. <a id="paragraph-217271" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-49.4/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1988, cc. 866, 878; 1992, c. 516; 2025, c. 547.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
