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Call Us : 1-866-398-4841
Email Us : vapep@csfmail.org

Division of Child Support

 

teamwork-300x296Thanks for visiting the Virginia Paternity Establishment Program’s website!  We hope you will find it useful when assisting parents before, during and after the birthing process.  We would like your help in educating parents who are unmarried about the paternity establishment process.  We don’t expect you to know everything there is to know about this program but encouraging these families to review our print materials, this website or the Smartphone application will help them prepare for the paperwork at the time of birth.  Be sure to visit the training tab for more information about this important program. Should you have any questions about this program or what we do please contact us at 866-398-4841.

Easy Access Paternity Training

You can now find the Virginia Paternity Establishment Training Course VDSS-DCSE 1035(E) on the VDSS Knowledge Center. The course is designed for DCSE field staff working directly with parents to establish paternity. Before attending this training, staff must have completed VDSS-DCSE3000 or VDSS-DCSE3001 - “Initial In-Service New Hire Training” and have at least 30 days experience working in the DCSE paternity unit. Please click on this link to see the Training Directive

FAQs

Q: How do I establish paternity through a voluntary process?
A: It’s simple! If you are unmarried, any time after delivery of the child and before the death of either parent, the mother and father can sign a document called an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) stating the father is the biological parent. The parents must provide a photo ID and sign in the presence of a Notary.
Q: If the father and I are getting along, do I still need to complete an AOP?
A: Yes. By completing the AOP you are creating a legal relationship between your child and his or her father. This ensures the father has legal rights to the child, should something unfortunate happen to the mother where she is unable to continue to care for the child. This assurance can only occur if paternity has previously been established.
Q: Will I lose my benefits if we acknowledge paternity?
A: Signing an AOP form does not affect benefits such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or Medicaid.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: It’s free if you complete the AOP in the hospital after your child’s birth. If you are unable to complete the AOP at the time of birth, you may return to the hospital at a later date or you may contact the Division of Vital Records (DVR), the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE), or the local Department of Health (DOH) to complete an AOP. After the child has been discharged from the hospital an additional fee is required by the DVR to change the birth certificate. This is in addition to the fee for a copy of the birth certificate. You will be required to pay these fees prior to receiving a birth certificate to include the father’s name— so be sure to save time and money by completing the AOP before leaving the hospital!
Q: How does establishing paternity affect my child’s birth certificate?
A: If you are unmarried at the time of your child’s birth, the biological father’s name will not be included on the child’s birth certificate without both parents completing an Acknowledgment of Paternity form. You and the biological father simply sign the AOP at the time of delivery in the presence of a Notary. The Birth Registrar will help you fill out this form and answer any questions you may have.
Q: Is there anything I should know about naming my child since I am unmarried?
A: Yes. In the Commonwealth of Virginia you may name your child anything you like at the time of birth. You are not restricted to using only your maiden name as the child’s last name as it is in some states. If both parents sign an AOP form, they may indicate how the child’s name should appear on the birth certificate.
Q: What if one parent is unavailable at the time of birth to sign an AOP?
A: You have two options to complete the voluntary acknowledgment of paternity.

  • Option 1: The AOP may be completed at the hospital by the parent who is available. This AOP will then be sent to the parent who is unavailable so that their portion may be completed and their signature notarized.

  • Option 2: Each parent may complete a separate form and have it notarized. The information on both forms must match and be stapled together. The completed AOP(s) should then be submitted to the birthing hospital or Division of Vital Records to change the birth certificate.
Q: What if the mother is married to someone other than the biological father of the child?
A: If the mother is married, paternity cannot be established by voluntarily signing an AOP form. If you are married at the time of birth or anytime in the ten months before the birth of your child, the Commonwealth of Virginia requires that the husband or ex-husband be presumed to be the father of your child. You must contact your local Circuit Court and/or Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court to legally establish paternity for the biological father. Visit this website for additional information: http://www.courts.state.va.us/, or the DVR at 804.662-6200.
Q: What if the mother and/or father are younger than age 18?
A: Parental permission is not needed for minors to voluntarily establish paternity in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Q: Do we have to be U.S. citizens to establish paternity for our child?
A: No. Paternity establishment has nothing to do with your citizenship status. Paternity can be established using an AOP form for any child born to unmarried parents in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Q: What if my child’s father is in the military and located outside of the U.S. and therefore unable to sign an AOP?
A: Please contact the DVR at 804.662.6200 for immediate assistance.
Q: Who has access to the information on the paternity form?
A: The information on your AOP form is confidential. Once completed, the form is submitted to the DVR, and only the DCSE and the Paternity Establishment Program have access to the information. No other federal or state agencies are allowed to obtain this information.
Q: If we establish paternity, will child support enforcement be a part of our life?
A: No, not unless the mother applies for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) services; then the case will be referred to DCSE and she will be required to cooperate by identifying the father.
Q: Once paternity is established, does this mean my child can receive child support?
A: Both parents are expected to financially support their child. In most cases the non-residential parent (the one the child does not live with) is expected to assist with financial support. This arrangement can be between the parents or it can involve DCSE or the courts. For additional information please call 1.800.468.8894 or visit DCSE on the web at: http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/dcse.html
Q: Should I complete an AOP if I am afraid of the baby’s father?
A: Establishing paternity is a voluntary process. If you are receiving TANF benefits you will need to discuss your specific case with a local social services worker.
Q: Can we change our mind after we have filed the AOP?
A: Either parent may cancel or “rescind” the AOP by completing a form and filing it with the DVR within 60 days from the date of the last notarized signature, unless a court order has been entered for the child during the 60 days. Rescission forms are only available at the DVR and local Health Departments. Once this form has been filed you must also contact your local Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court system for additional instructions.

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