Illinois Code § 204

Illinois Code § 204. Reproduced from the official Illinois Compiled Statutes, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 204.

Presumption of parentage. (a) A person is presumed to be the parent of a child if: (1) the person and the mother of the child have entered into a marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, and the child is born to the mother during the marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, except as provided in the Gestational Surrogacy Act or other law; (2) the person and the mother of the child were in a marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship and the child is born to the mother within 300 days after the marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship is terminated by death, declaration of invalidity of marriage, judgment for dissolution of marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, or after a judgment for legal separation, except as provided in the Gestational Surrogacy Act or other law; (3) before the birth of the child, the person and the mother of the child entered into a marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship in apparent compliance with law, even if the attempted marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship is or could be declared invalid, and the child is born during the invalid marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship or within 300 days after its termination by death, declaration of invalidity of marriage, judgment for dissolution of marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, or after a judgment for legal separation, except as provided in the Gestational Surrogacy Act or other law; or (4) after the child's birth, the person and the child's mother have entered into a marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, even if the marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship is or could be declared invalid, and the person is named, with the person's written consent, as the child's parent on the child's birth certificate. (b) If 2 or more conflicting presumptions arise under this Section, the presumption which on the facts is founded on the weightier considerations of policy and logic, especially the policy of promoting the child's best interests, controls. (Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16; 99-769, eff. 1-1-17.)

Source: official Illinois text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

  • Citation: Illinois Compiled Statutes § 204
  • Jurisdiction: Illinois
  • Code: Illinois Compiled Statutes
  • Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official Illinois Compiled Statutes. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Illinois attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of Illinois Compiled Statutes § 204?

The text above is transcribed from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, the codified statutes of Illinois. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does Illinois Compiled Statutes § 204 address?

It addresses the rule set out in the section text. Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is Illinois Compiled Statutes § 204 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Illinois source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Illinois law to your facts requires a licensed Illinois attorney who can review the specifics.