Brazilian Public Defenders Launch Free Paternity Recognition Campaign
The Conselho Nacional das Defensoras e Defensores Públicos‑Gerais (Condege) is coordinating the fifth edition of the "Meu Pai Tem Nome" campaign, a nationwide effort that provides free DNA testing and legal assistance for voluntary and investigative recognition of paternity and maternity. The initiative, run by state public defender offices, offers mediation, conciliation and full judicial support, aiming to secure rights such as child support, inheritance, social‑security benefits and full civil identity.
Events are taking place across Brazil on August 1, including a DNA‑testing booth at the Carioca station of Rio de Janeiro’s MetroRio, a mutirão in Natal (Rio Grande do Norte), simultaneous actions in Fortaleza, Sobral and Crato (Ceará), and a series of service points in seven municipalities of Goiás. Participants must bring identification, CPF and proof of residence; no prior registration is required. Results of the Rio de Janeiro edition will be presented on 15 August at São Januário stadium.
Statistics underline the campaign’s relevance: in 2025, 173,112 Brazilian children – 6.9 % of all births – were registered without a father’s name, and in Rio de Janeiro state the figure was 12,883, or 7.77 % of births. The campaign seeks to reduce these numbers by facilitating the legal inclusion of parental information.
Entities: Conselho Nacional das Defensoras e Defensores Públicos-Gerais · Conselho Nacional das Defensoras e Defensores Públicos‑Gerais (Condege) · Defensoria Pública do Estado da Bahia (DPE‑BA) · Defensoria Pública do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte · Defensoria Pública do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (DPERN) · Defensoria Pública do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (DPRJ) · Instituto Estadual de Educação Profissional, Tecnologia e Inovação (IERN) · Larissa Davidovich · Meu Pai Tem Nome · Natal · Rio Grande do Norte · Sâmia Farias
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 20 SOURCES] The 'Meu Pai Tem Nome' campaign is coordinated by the Conselho Nacional das Defensoras e Defensores Públicos‑Gerais (Condege). (Condege coordination)
- [● 6 SOURCES] The campaign seeks to secure rights such as child support, inheritance, and access to social‑security benefits for recognized children. (Rights ensured by recognition)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Events are being held on 1 August in multiple locations, including Rio de Janeiro’s MetroRio station, Natal (Rio Grande do Norte), several municipalities in Goiás, and cities in Ceará. (Event dates and locations)
- [● 6 SOURCES] In 2025, 173,112 Brazilian children – 6.9 % of all births – were registered without a father’s name. (2025 national statistics)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The results of the Rio de Janeiro edition will be presented on 15 August at São Januário stadium. (Result presentation date and venue)
- [● 4 SOURCES] In the state of Rio de Janeiro, 12,883 children were registered without a father’s name in 2025, representing 7.77 % of births in the state. (Rio de Janeiro 2025 statistics)
- [● 20 SOURCES] The campaign offers free DNA tests and legal assistance for voluntary and investigative recognition of paternity or maternity. (Free DNA and legal aid)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Participants must bring a photo ID, CPF and proof of residence; no prior registration is required. (Documentation required)