Paternity rights grant a presumptive father the ability to request genetic testing to determine whether or not a child is his biological offspring. This might be considered necessary if the father and mother are not married or do not live together. It may also be requested if a man has not had himself voluntarily listed as the father on the birth certificate at the hospital. The state may order a paternity test if the mother is receiving welfare assistance. This is because the state then has the right to collect child support to offset the cost of this assistance. The mother must cooperate in helping to establish the identity of the father in these cases. If the state orders a test, the state agency will cover the initial cost. If the man is proven through DNA evidence to be the biological father, the state may then require him to reimburse the cost of the test. A man may waive the right to testing and sign a voluntary paternity acknowledgement if he believes he is the father of a child.