In order for a single mother or father to receive child support, the parentage of the child must first be determined. In the state of California, there are three methods of establishing paternity or parentage. Both unmarried parents can sign a voluntary declaration of paternity either at the time of the child's birth or afterward at specific government agencies. In another situation, either or both parents can request that a local child support agency resolve parentage through genetic testing. Finally, either parent can choose to initiate a court case to establish parentage without the help of an agency. This is a complicated and sometimes lengthy process, and it is advisable that in this circumstance, the filing party attain the services of a lawyer familiar with family law.