How does custody work in Iowa when the parents were never married?

Marriage is a significant factor regarding parental rights. A married man is presumed to be the biological father of any child born by his wife. Unmarried fathers don't automatically acquire parental rights unless they take certain steps to establish their paternity legally. The mother has sole custody until the father's paternity is established.

In Iowa, paternity can be established by filing an Affidavit of Paternity with the State Registrar. Affidavits are available at the hospital where the child is born and will establish paternity once the affidavit is registered. The affidavit requires the consent of the mother. If the mother does not consent then paternity must be established in court by a DNA test. Once paternity is established the father can request joint custody and visitations.

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