Parenthood and paternity

How to confirm

Legal parenthood or paternity can be acknowledged digitally with the Swedish Tax Agency. You can also register joint legal custody with the Swedish Tax Agency at the same time.

Conditions for digital acknowledgement with the Swedish Tax Agency

• Both parents are of legal age and were registered in Sweden when the child was born.
• The child is registered in Sweden when the acknowledgement is submitted.
• The acknowledgement is submitted and approved no later than fourteen days after the child’s birth.
• Both parents have electronic identification, for example BankID.

If the digital acknowledgement is not made within fourteen days

The Swedish Tax Agency notifies the Social Welfare Committee. The mother receives a letter from the Family Law Unit and is asked to book an in-person appointment to sign the acknowledgement.

If you agree on joint legal custody, you can register this at the same appointment, or later if you prefer.

If the parents are married

If the parents are married, legal parenthood or paternity does not need to be established and no registration of joint legal custody is required.

Uncertainty about who the parent is

If there is uncertainty about who is the father or legal parent, the Family Law Unit must conduct an investigation before the acknowledgement can be made.

Contact the Family Law Unit

Contact the Family Law Unit for:

• an investigation of paternity or parenthood, or
• if you choose, or have special reasons, to acknowledge parenthood or paternity with the Family Law Unit before or after the child’s birth instead of using the Swedish Tax Agency’s digital service.