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Signing the VAP at the hospital
If the mother of a child is not married when the child is born, hospital staff will give her a VAP. If you and she sign the VAP at the hospital, parentage will be established. Your name will be added to the child's birth certificate.
Signing the VAP later
If you and the mother do not sign the VAP before leaving the hospital, you both can complete it later and mail it to Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The parent's name will then be added to the child's birth certificate.
To fill out a VAP, use our Voluntary acknowledgement of parentage program.
Parentage is now established. This means that both parents must pay to support the child, and can ask for parental responsibilities (custody) like decision-making power and parenting time (visitation).
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