# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 2: Parentage; acknowledgment or adjudication; statistical information of parties; transmission to registrarr > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S2 ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 2 - **Heading:** Parentage; acknowledgment or adjudication; statistical information of parties; transmission to registrarr - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part II / Title III / Chapter 209C / Section 2 ## Text Section 2. Parentage may be established by filing with the court, the clerk of the city or town where the child was born or the registrar of vital records and statistics an acknowledgment of parentage executed by both parents pursuant to section 11 or pursuant to an action to establish parentage filed pursuant to this chapter; provided, however, that if a judgment or finding of parentage has been issued by a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction under the law of another state or foreign country or if both parents executed a voluntary acknowledgment of parentage in accordance with the law of another state or foreign country, such judgment, finding or voluntary acknowledgment shall be accorded full faith and credit and parentage shall not be relitigated. Upon receipt of an acknowledgment of parentage, the clerk of such city or town shall forward the original acknowledgment to said registrar as provided in chapter 46. Upon receipt of an acknowledgment of parentage or upon an adjudication of parentage under this chapter, the court shall transmit to the registrar of vital records and statistics a certified copy of the acknowledgment or order establishing parentage, together with such statistical information as said registrar may require, upon such form and in such format as designated by said registrar, which shall include the name, residence, date of birth, place of birth and social security number of each of the parties and the child, the sex of the child, and such additional information as the commissioner of public health deems useful for statistical and research purposes. Actions to establish support obligations or for custody or visitation rights may also be filed pursuant to this chapter. Section 2. Parentage may be established by filing with the court, the clerk of the city or town where the child was born or the registrar of vital records and statistics an acknowledgment of parentage executed by both parents pursuant to section 11 or pursuant to an action to establish parentage filed pursuant to this chapter; provided, however, that if a judgment or finding of parentage has been issued by a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction under the law of another state or foreign country or if both parents executed a voluntary acknowledgment of parentage in accordance with the law of another state or foreign country, such judgment, finding or voluntary acknowledgment shall be accorded full faith and credit and parentage shall not be relitigated. Upon receipt of an acknowledgment of parentage, the clerk of such city or town shall forward the original acknowledgment to said registrar as provided in chapter 46. Upon receipt of an acknowledgment of parentage or upon an adjudication of parentage under this chapter, the court shall transmit to the registrar of vital records and statistics a certified copy of the acknowledgment or order establishing parentage, together with such statistical information as said registrar may require, upon such form and in such format as designated by said registrar, which shall include the name, residence, date of birth, place of birth and social security number of each of the parties and the child, the sex of the child, and such additional information as the commissioner of public health deems useful for statistical and research purposes. Actions to establish support obligations or for custody or visitation rights may also be filed pursuant to this chapter. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 1 Declaration of purpose; definition; responsibility for support](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 1A Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S1A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 2 Parentage; acknowledgment or adjudication; statistical information of parties; transmission to registrarr](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S2.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 3 Paternity and support actions; jurisdiction; enforcement of prior orders or judgments; juvenile court commitment proceedings; parents convicted of first degree murder](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S3.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 4 Venue; service](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S4.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 5 Persons entitled to maintain actions or execute voluntary acknowledgment of parentage; parties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S5.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 6 Presumption of paternity; mandatory joinder](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S6.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 7 Representation in parentage actions; appointment of counsel; burden of proof](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S7.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 8 Judgment of parentage; age of parents; notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S8.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 9 Judgment or order for support; health insurance; financial statement; determination of amount; notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S9.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 10 Award of custody; criteria](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S10.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 11 Acknowledgment of parentage; approval; parental agreements regarding custody, support and visitation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S11.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 12 Trial; exclusion of public](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S12.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209C, sec. 13 Inspection of documents; copies; segregation of records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S13.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TIII_C209C_S2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.