Paternity can be established in Texas through either a court-ordered paternity test or voluntarily signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP). In cases where there is uncertainty or dispute about the biological father of a child, a court may order a paternity test. This typically involves DNA testing to determine if there is a genetic match between the alleged father and the child. Once paternity is legally established, the father's rights and responsibilities, such as child support and visitation, can be determined by the court. On the other hand, an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) is a voluntary process where both parents sign a legal document affirming the biological father's identity. This can often be done at the time of the child's birth or afterward, and it provides legal recognition of the father's rights and responsibilities