Short answer — the practical route

If your father’s name does not appear on your birth certificate, you can still establish that he is your biological parent in Kentucky using one or more of these approaches: (1) voluntary acknowledgment or birth-certificate amendment (if the father is willing and alive); (2) filing a court action to establish parentage (paternity) supported by DNA testing and other evidence; and (3) asking the probate court to recognize you as an heir (a petition for determination of heirship) when your father dies. Act promptly. Collect records and, if needed, begin a paternity case or probate petition as soon as possible.

Detailed answer — step-by-step under Kentucky practice

1) Check existing records and facts

Gather every document that may help show a father-child relationship: your original birth certificate, hospital records, prenatal or birth records, photos, letters, school records, insurance or Social Security records listing the father, tax records, or evidence the man supported you financially. These are useful whether you pursue a voluntary route or a court case.

2) Voluntary acknowledgment or birth certificate amendment (if available)

If the man you identify as your father is willing to acknowledge paternity, many states have a simple process to amend the birth certificate or sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity. That is the quickest, least-expensive solution when both parties agree. Contact the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (Cabinet for Health and Family Services) to learn how to request or amend a birth record.

Kentucky’s vital records office explains steps for birth certificate corrections and required paperwork: Kentucky Vital Records.

3) File a paternity (parentage) action in family court if voluntary acknowledgment isn’t possible

If the alleged father will not acknowledge you, the usual legal route is to file a parentage/paternity action in the appropriate Kentucky court. In that action you can ask the court to order genetic (DNA) testing. A DNA test is the most reliable and commonly accepted scientific proof of biological parentage. If DNA shows a high probability of parentage, the court can enter an order declaring parentage.

Kentucky courts handle parentage and related family-law matters—contact the local family court or the Kentucky Court of Justice resources for guidance on filing procedures: Kentucky Court of Justice.

4) Use the parentage order to establish inheritance rights in probate

If your father has died without a will (intestate), you will need to be recognized as an heir to share in intestate distribution. A court order establishing parentage (or a valid amended birth certificate or voluntary acknowledgment) is the evidence probate courts accept to add you as an heir. If probate has already closed, you may need to file a petition to reopen or to have the probate court determine heirship.

For questions about intestate succession (distribution when there is no valid will) and how heirs are determined in Kentucky, review Kentucky probate resources and statutes via the Kentucky legislature or the Court of Justice website: Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) — search and Kentucky Court of Justice.

5) If the father left a will

If the father left a will that does not treat you as a beneficiary, you may still be able to challenge the estate distribution depending on whether you can establish that the testator intended to provide for you or whether the will was properly executed. The specifics depend on the will’s terms and Kentucky law. A parentage order will still be necessary for you to show legal status as a child if that matters for surviving-spouse claims or elective-share issues.

6) What if the alleged father is deceased and no paternity order exists?

You can petition the probate court for a determination of heirship or for admittance as an heir. The court will consider DNA evidence (if available — sometimes DNA can be taken from stored tissue or from living close relatives), affidavits, testimony from people who knew the relationship, financial records, and other evidence showing the relationship. A probate judge has broad authority to weigh such evidence and issue an order recognizing heirs.

7) Timing and deadlines

Deadlines vary by case type. Some claims related to probate and paternity have statute-of-limitations or limited time windows to contest a will or to open an estate. If the estate is unresolved or if you suspect you have a claim, start as soon as possible. Delay can make DNA harder to obtain and can close off legal options. Speak with a Kentucky probate or family lawyer quickly to identify applicable deadlines.

8) Costs and practical issues

Expect costs for DNA tests, court filing fees, and possibly attorney fees. In contested cases, attorney representation is strongly recommended because probate courts follow strict procedural rules. Free or low-cost legal help may be available through local legal aid organizations or bar association lawyer-referral services.

Helpful hints — practical checklist

• Collect documents now: birth records, photos, hospital records, old mail, insurance records, tax returns, school records, and any communications showing a father-child relationship.
• Ask the alleged father, if alive, if he will sign a voluntary acknowledgment or submit to DNA testing — this saves time and money.
• Keep any original documents safe. Make clear copies and organize them chronologically.
• Contact Kentucky Vital Records to learn how to request or change a birth certificate: Kentucky Vital Records.
• If the father is deceased, ask the probate clerk in the county where he lived or where his estate is opened about filing a petition for determination of heirship.
• Get a court-ordered DNA test if the other party will not agree voluntarily. Courts usually accept accredited lab results.
• Act quickly. Probate deadlines and difficulties obtaining DNA or witnesses increase with delay.
• Use the Kentucky Court of Justice website for forms and local court contacts: kycourts.gov.
• Seek local legal help — a lawyer can help file paternity or probate petitions, obtain DNA testing orders, and represent you in court.