You can establish parentage right at the hospital when your baby is born.  Here’s how:

1. Fill out the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage form.
    
2. Both parents must sign the form in front of a witness. The witness must be someone other than the parents and at least 18 years old.
    
3. Once the form is filled out, signed by both parents, and witnessed, hospital staff can add the father’s information to your child’s birth certificate and submit your form to the Office of Vital Records.
    
4. If you can’t complete the form at the hospital, you may submit it later to: Office of Vital Records, Department of Health, 108 Cherry Street, PO Box 70, Burlington, VT  05402-0070, 1-800-439-5008.
    
5. Before sending your form to Vital Records, make a copy and keep it for your records.
    
6. Once they receive your form, Vital Records staff will add the father’s information to your child’s birth certificate. If you submit the form after six months from your child’s date of birth, you will need a probate court decree to amend your child’s birth certificate.

Changing Your Mind

The law allows you to rescind (or withdraw) your voluntary acknowledgment of parentage within 60 days of signing the form OR before a court hearing to establish parentage takes place—whichever happens first.

If you change your mind, advise the Office of Vital Records in writing that you want to rescind your voluntary acknowledgment of parentage.

More Info/Assistance

If you need more information or help establishing parentage, please contact the OCS Helpline at 1-800-786-3214 or OCSCSU@ahs.state.vt.us.

For more detailed information about voluntarily acknowledging parentage, you should read:

Establishing Parentage: What every new parent should know (pdf)

Establishing Parentage: What every new parent should know (text only pdf)

Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage form (pdf)

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