Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity

Importance of Establishing Paternity

Both parents and the child have the right to a parent-child relationship. Both parents and the child deserve an opportunity to develop, enjoy and grow in this relationship.

Identity: Your child has the right to know both parents and is entitled to the sense of belonging that comes from knowing both parents.

Medical: Your child should know if he or she has inherited any health problems which may not be detected at birth or in childhood.

Responsibility: The father has the right to know and the responsibility to support his son or daughter. The mother has the right to get help and support from the father in raising the child.

Money: Both parents have a legal obligation to support their children. One parent may not be able to support the child on their own.

Benefits: Your child has the right to access benefits from both parents, such as Social Security, medical and life insurance benefits, inheritance rights, veteran’s benefits or others.

To voluntarily acknowledge paternity, both parents must sign a paternity affidavit under oath. By signing the affidavit, the law presumes the named father is the biological father of the child and action can proceed to establish a child support obligation without any future legal proceeding to establish paternity.

Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment Brochure and Form

Videos

• The Power of Two: Voluntarily Acknowledging Paternity - English | Español