The most recent census data show that, in the Spring of 1992, 11.5 million families with children had a parent living elsewhere. Among those due support, about half received the full amount, about a quarter received partial payment and about a quarter received nothing. In FY 1998, paternity was established for more than l.5 million children through the CSE Program and voluntary in-hospital acknowledgements, providing vital links between the children and their noncustodial parents. Almost 1.1 million new child support orders were established through the Program in FY 1998. About four million cases are processed annually by the Federal Parent Locator Service.
Many fathers voluntarily acknowledge paternity.
Otherwise, father, mother, and child can be required to submit to genetic tests. The results are highly accurate. States must have procedures which allow paternity to be established at least up to the child's eighteenth birthday. Support agency staff can take child support cases to court, or to an administrative hearing process to establish the order. Health insurance coverage can also be ordered.