---
title: O.C.G.A. § 19-7-47. Civil action; testimony of mother and alleged father; default judgments.
collection: code
id: 19-7-47
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 19-7-47 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-7-47
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-7-47.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-7-47/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t18-t19-(v16)-2022-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=b0848ebd_0#page=764
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: DOMESTIC RELATIONS / PARENT AND CHILD RELATIONSHIP GENERALLY / DETERMINATION OF PATERNITY
---

# O.C.G.A. § 19-7-47. Civil action; testimony of mother and alleged father; default judgments.

(a) Any proceeding brought under this article is a civil action governed by the rules of civil procedure. The mother of the child and the alleged father are competent to testify and may be compelled to appear and testify.

(b) If in any paternity action an answer has not been filed within the time required by Chapter 11 of Title 9, the “Georgia Civil Practice Act,” the case shall automatically become in default unless the time for filing the answer has been extended as provided by law. The default may be opened as a matter of right by the filing of such defenses within 15 days of the day of default, upon the payment of costs. If the case is still in default after the expiration of the period of 15 days, the plaintiff at any time thereafter shall be entitled to verdict and judgment by default, in open court or in chambers, as if every item and paragraph of the complaint or other original pleading were supported by proper evidence.

## History

Code 1933, § 74-308, enacted by Ga. L. 1980, p. 1374, § 1; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1270, § 5; Ga. L. 1999, p. 81, § 19.