Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment

If both the mother and the man are 18 or older and are sure that the man is the father, the easiest way to establish paternity is with the Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form. The form may be filed at any time after the baby is born. To ensure the child's right, it is best to file the form soon after the child is born.

Completing and mailing this form to Vital Records fully establishes legal fatherhood. The father’s name will be added to the birth certificate.

If either parent wants genetic testing, the parents should not sign the form until they receive the test results. Parents may ask their local child support agency for genetic tests before signing the Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form.

The Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form cannot be used if the child was conceived or born when the mother was married to a man who is not the biological father.

Please note: If parents were under 18 and established paternity using this form before January 1, 2007, the form was accepted. Paternity was established for their child.

Go back to the Legal Fatherhood page