What is a "Voluntary Declaration of Parentage," and where do I sign and file this form in California?

A Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VDOP) is a government form that unmarried parents can sign to legally establish who the parents of a child are. When filed, it has the same legal effect as a court order of parentage. Here is how you sign and file the form: Step 1: Obtain the Official Form You can get the official Voluntary Declaration of Parentage form (CS 909) at the hospital when your child is born. If you do not sign it at the hospital, you can get the form later from your local child support agency, the office of the family law facilitator in your county's superior court, or your local registrar of births. Step 2: Complete the Form Both parents must carefully fill out the form with their personal information and the child's information. It is critical that you read and understand the rights and responsibilities listed on the back of the form before you sign. Step 3: Sign Before an Authorized Witness Both parents must sign the declaration at the same time in front of an authorized witness at one of the official locations mentioned in Step 1. The witness cannot be related to either parent by blood or marriage. You will need to show a valid government-issued photo ID. Step 4: File the Form The authorized witness who oversees your signatures is responsible for sending the original, signed form to the California Department of Child Support Services Parentage Opportunity Program (POP) for filing. If you sign at the hospital, the hospital staff will handle this for you. There is no fee to file the VDOP. Important details and nuances: Filing a VDOP allows the non-birthing parent's name to be added to the child's birth certificate. It creates the legal parent-child relationship necessary to get court orders for child custody, visitation, and child support. Warnings and limitations: Signing this form is a significant legal act. Once signed, you only have 60 days to cancel it by filing a Rescission form. After 60 days, it is extremely difficult to undo and requires a court action. If either parent has any doubt about parentage, you should not sign this form and should pursue genetic (DNA) testing instead. This is general information and does not constitute legal advice. For complex situations, such as when the birth mother was married to someone else at the time of the child's birth, consult with a qualified California attorney.