Voluntary Declaration of Parentage
A Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (or paternity) (a VDOP) is a government form two parents can sign to create a legal parent-child relationship between a child and parent. It's often signed at the hospital when a child is born, but it can be signed later. There's no cost to use the form. Once it's turned in, both parents' names can go on a child's birth certificate.
Find out more about the VDOP
You can find out more from the State of California's Parentage Opportunity Program (POP).
Why sign a VDOP?
Signing a VDOP is free and you don't have to go to court
Using the VDOP is free. The VDOP has the same effect of a judgment (final court order) that says who your child's legal parents are. Going to court can take a lot of time and can be expensive.
Don't sign a VDOP if you aren't sure if you or the other person is the parent
If you sign a VDOP, you give up your right to
- Genetic (DNA) testing
- A trial to decide who your child's legal parent is
If you have a trial, you have a right to a lawyer and to ask any witnesses questions.
How to complete a VDOP
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Check you are eligible to sign
To sign a VDOP, you and the other parent must be either
- An unmarried birth parent and the only possible genetic parent
- Two people, married or unmarried, who had their child through assisted reproduction using sperm or egg donation (or both), unless the donation was from their spouse
There are also rules about when you can't sign a VDOP. For example, in cases of surrogacy or if a judge has already said someone else is the child's legal parent. The VDOP form you sign has more information about the rules about who can and can't sign a VDOP.
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Sign VDOP at hospital, government agency, or notary
Sign at the hospital when a child is born
Parents can sign a VDOP at the hospital when the child is born. The hospital will have the form. If the parents sign at the hospital, both parents' names will go on the child’s birth certificate. The birth parent does not need to go to court to prove who the other parent of the child is.
Sign later at a government agency
Parents can also sign the VDOP later at certain government locations. They can sign the VDOP in front of government officials at a local child support agency, registrar of births, Family Law Facilitator at your local superior court, or a local Welfare office
If the parents sign it after the child’s birth certificate has been issued, a new birth certificate can be issued with the other parent's name.
Sign in front of a notary
You can ask for the form to be sent to you by mail by e-mailing askpop@dcss.ca.gov, or you can get it at any of the above government locations. You and the other parent can then sign it in front of a notary public. There's usually a fee to use a notary.
If the parents sign it after the child’s birth certificate has been issued, a new birth certificate can be issued with the other parent's name.
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File VDOP with DCSS
Once the declaration is signed, the form must be filed with the California Department of Child Support Services Parentage Opportunity Program (POP). The form is not valid unless filed.
If you want a copy of the filed VDOP, send a completed request for a certified copy of the VDOP to:
DCSS — POP Unit
P.O. Box 419070
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9070
Once the VDOP is filed, you are the legal parents. If you later need a judge to make orders about child custody, visitation (parenting time) or support, you can file a case with the court.