Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity Form Guide

Submit the completed Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) form to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). You can submit by mail to HFS Office of Vital Records, Bureau of Vital Records and Data Management, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62702. For email submission, send the scanned form to hfs.vap@illinois.gov. Alternatively, you can fax the form to (217) 523-2648. Ensure that all required fields are filled accurately, and all signatures are properly witnessed before submission. Double-check the form for any errors or missing information to avoid processing delays.

No specific dates are provided for this form for 2024 and 2025. Refer to the relevant authorities for any updates.

The Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form is a legal document used to establish the biological father's relationship with the child. This form is crucial when the biological father is not married to the child's mother at the time of birth. Completing and submitting the form properly ensures that the father's name appears on the child's birth certificate and creates legal responsibilities and rights for the parents and the child. When both parents agree on the paternity of the child at the time of birth but are not married, the VAP form can be used to avoid lengthy court processes. The form also provides a way for the child to secure benefits such as social security, inheritance rights, and medical history information. Proper submission of the VAP form is crucial for establishing a healthy and legal relationship between the father and the child.

• 1. Child's First Name: Enter the child's first name as it appears or will appear on the birth certificate.
• 2. Middle Name of Child: Enter the child's middle name, including any accent marks, apostrophes, and hyphens.
• 3. Last Name of Child: Enter the child's last name, including any hyphens, accent marks, and apostrophes.
• 4. Suffix Following Child's Last Name: Enter the suffix (Jr., II, III, IV) if applicable, or leave blank if not included on the birth certificate.
• 5. Child's Date of Birth: Enter the child's date of birth in mm/dd/yy format.
• 6. Child's Place of Birth - Hospital Name: Enter the name of the hospital or birthing center. Abbreviations or initials are acceptable.
• 7. Child's Gender: Check the appropriate box for the child's gender: female (F) or male (M).
• 8. City/County/State of Birth: Enter the city, county, and state where the birth occurred.
• 9. Full Name of Biological Father: Enter the first, middle, and last name of the biological father.
• 10. Place of Birth of Biological Father: Enter the city and state where the biological father was born, or the country if outside the United States.
• 11. Date of Birth of Biological Father: Enter the biological father's date of birth in mm/dd/yy format.
• 12. Social Security Number of Biological Father: Enter the nine-digit social security number of the biological father. If unavailable, use the taxpayer identification number or leave blank.
• 13. Address of Biological Father: Enter the complete current address of the biological father.
• 14. City/State/Zip Code of Biological Father: Enter the city, state, and zip code of the biological father's address.
• 15. Daytime Phone of Biological Father: Enter the daytime phone number of the biological father, including the area code.
• 16. Full Name of Biological Mother: Enter the first, middle, and last name of the biological mother.
• 17. Maiden Name of Biological Mother: Enter the biological mother's name before her first marriage.
• 18. Place of Birth of Biological Mother: Enter the city and state where the biological mother was born, or the country if outside the United States.
• 19. Date of Birth of Biological Mother: Enter the biological mother's date of birth in mm/dd/yy format.
• 20. Social Security Number of Biological Mother: Enter the nine-digit social security number of the biological mother. If unavailable, use the taxpayer identification number or leave blank.
• 21. Address of Biological Mother: Enter the complete current address of the biological mother.
• 22. City/State/Zip Code of Biological Mother: Enter the city, state, and zip code of the biological mother's address.
• 23. Daytime Phone of Biological Mother: Enter the daytime phone number of the biological mother, including the area code.
• 24. Were You Married to or in a Civil Union with a Person Other Than the Man Named in Box 9 When This Child Was Born or Within 300 Days Before the Child Was Born?: Select 'Yes' or 'No'. If 'Yes', provide the presumed parent's name.
• 25. Presumed Parent Name: Enter the full name of the presumed parent if 'Yes' was selected in the previous field.
• 26. Signature Line for Biological Father: Signature line for the biological father.
• 27. Printed Name of Witness for Biological Father: Witness is to print his/her name.
• 28. Signature Line for Witness for Biological Father: Signature of the witness.
• 29. Address of Witness for Biological Father: Witness is to enter his/her full address.
• 30. Phone Number for Witness for Biological Father: Witness is to enter his/her contact number.
• 31. Date Parties Signed - Biological Father: Date the biological father and witness signed the VAP.
• 32. Signature Line for Biological Mother: Signature line for the biological mother.
• 33. Printed Name of Witness for Biological Mother: Witness is to print his/her name.
• 34. Signature Line for Witness for Biological Mother: Signature of the witness.
• 35. Address of Witness for Biological Mother: Witness is to enter his/her full address.
• 36. Phone Number for Witness for Biological Mother: Witness is to enter his/her contact number.
• 37. Date Parties Signed - Biological Mother: Date the biological mother and witness signed the VAP.

Failure to submit this form correctly will result in the father's name not being added to the child's birth certificate. This could lead to legal complications regarding paternity, custody, and child support.

• Paternity Not Established: The biological father's legal relationship with the child remains unrecognized.
• Custody Issues: The father may face difficulties in gaining custody or visitation rights.
• Child Support: The mother may encounter challenges in obtaining child support from the father.

• 1. Unmarried Parents: Both biological parents are unmarried and agree on the paternity of the child.
• 2. Paternity Acknowledgment: The biological father wishes to establish his legal relationship with the child.
• 3. Birth Certificate Update: Adding the biological father's name to the child's birth certificate.
• 4. Legal Documentation: Providing evidence of paternity for legal, custody, or child support purposes.
• 5. Hospital Documentation: Hospitals and birthing centers assisting parents in completing the VAP form.