Family maintenance files - Affiliation (Type 21) (GRS/6635)

Files give documentary evidence of proof of paternity of children born out of wedlock. It is the only record giving the name of the putative father. The name of the putative father is not recorded by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

In June 1996 a section of the Family Law Act was replaced by a provision which enables the parents of a child born outside of marriage to enter into a parenting plan. The Child Support Agency has taken over the role in cases after the 1 October 1989. If the child was born before 1 October 1989 or the parents separated before that date then the Department was responsible for these cases.

The files also show the carer parents in cases where liable parents made applications to vary existing maintenance agreements or court orders due to the deterioration of their financial circumstances. In many cases, liable parents have remarried and have additional family responsibilities, which have to be taken into consideration. Court proceedings are taken as a last resort.

These files have a two tiered file number, but are arranged alphabetically by client surname.