Important Information on Paternity for Fathers

              As a father, you play an important part
in your child's life. No one can take your
place - not a coach, an uncle, a teacher,
not even his mother. Every child needs
to know who his or her father is and that
he loves them. Your child will grow up
confident and secure knowing that you
are proud to be his or her father.
What is Paternity?
PATERNITY MEANS
LEGAL FATHERHOOD
Paternity is a legal relationship between
a father and his child.
If you were not married to the mother of
your child when the child was born, you
are not considered the legal father of
that child. If your partner is expecting,
your name will not be added to the
baby's birth certificate unless you
establish paternity.
Why Should I Establish Paternity?
To show your child that you care
enough to acknowledge that you are
his/her father
To add your name to the child's birth
certificate as the legal father
To help ensure your right to have a
relationship with your child
To get a legal document that proves you
are the child's father
To have the right to ask for visitation
and/or custody of your child
To protect your rights as a father should
something happen and the mother is
unable to care for your child
To be able to add your child to your
health insurance plan
To make sure your child will have
access to family medical records that
contain information that could possibly
save his or her life
To make sure that your Social Security
or veteran's benefits are paid to your
child in the event of your death
To protect your right to be notified in
adoption proceedings for the child
How can I become my child's legal
father?
Signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of
Paternity (VAP) at the hospital when
your child is born is the easiest and
fastest way to establish paternity and
get your name on your baby's birth
certificate.
You can also establish paternity at the
Illinois Department of Healthcare and
Family Services by:
• Signing the Voluntary
Acknowledgment of Paternity
• Agreeing to accept the results of a
genetic test
• Requesting a hearing
• Filing a petition to establish paternity
by obtaining a private attorney or
going to court on your own.
I have other children, can I establish
paternity for them?
Yes, you and the children's mother can
complete a paternity form for each child.
Forms may be submitted for children
until they reach 21 years of age.
I'm under 18, can I sign the form?
Yes. Parents under age 18 can sign the
form.
I know she won't sign the Voluntary
Acknowledgment of Paternity. Is
there another way I can establish
paternity?
The Division of Child Support
Enforcement can help you establish
paternity even if the mother doesn't
sign the Voluntary Acknowledgment of
Paternity. Contact the Child Support
Customer Service Call Center for more
information on paternity establishment
and other services.
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