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Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

Hospital Paternity Frequently Asked Questions

1. The father is unsure that he wants to sign the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity and wants a paternity test. What should the couple do?

The couple may contact Healthcare and Family Services’ Division of Child Support Services website or 800-447-4278 for assistance in determining paternity of the child.

2. What if the mother is married to a man other than the biological father?

If the mother is or was married at the time of conception, upon the birth of the child or any time in between to a man other than the biological father of the child, the mother and husband must complete a Denial of Paternity and the mother and biological father must complete a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity in order for the biological father to be placed on the child’s birth certificate. If the husband is not available to sign a Denial of Paternity, the husband is presumed to be the father of the child and his name, by law, must be placed on the birth certificate.

3. Will the Administrative Coordination Unit “hold” a Denial of Paternity until the mother submits the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity or vice versa?

No, in the case where the mother was married to a man other than the biological father, the ACU will not accept and hold a Denial until the VAP is received. If the mother indicated on the VAP that she was married and there is no corresponding Denial, the VAP will be rejected.

4. Can a divorce decree be used in lieu of the Denial of Paternity?

In some cases it is possible to use a divorce decree in lieu of a Denial; however, the decree must be finalized, which means it must be signed by a judge and stamped with the circuit clerk’s seal. The decree must specifically indicate that the husband is not the father of the child. Contact the Child Support office for more information.

5. The mother or father changed their mind about signing the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity after the mother has been discharged. What should she or he do?

Either parent may withdraw consent by completing a Rescission of Paternity. The Form HFS 3416E (pdf) is on the Child Support website.

6. The mother or father lost their copy of the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. What should she or he do?

The mother or father can complete a Request for a Certified Copy of the VAP and mail it to the Administrative Coordination Unit, which will return a certified copy of the VAP to the parent. The form HFS 3416H (pdf) is on the Child Support website.

7. I’m out of forms and haven’t received my recent supply request. What should I do?

The Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity and other forms are available on the Child Support website forms page.

8. Can I use the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity from the Child Support website on a daily basis?

Yes, you can use the HFS 3416B (pdf) VAP from the Child Support website: The VAP has fillable fields and must be completed, printed, then signed and witnessed. When the VAP is finished, hospital employees need to make three (3) photocopies – one for each parent and one for the patient chart. As with the carboned form, the original is mailed to the Administrative Coordination Unit in Springfield.

9. Is a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity completed when the couple is in a civil union?

No, a VAP is not completed if the couple is in a civil union. If the couple is heterosexual, the parents have the same rights as a married couple; therefore, no VAP is completed. A VAP would also not be completed for a same sex couple as only the biological parents can sign a VAP. Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records at 217-782-6554 with questions about same sex couples and the birth certificate.

10. I’m having trouble with the Illinois Vital Records System. What should I do?

Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records at 217-782-6554.

11. Is it required that the child have the same last name as the father when a couple signs a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity?

No, the child can have the mother’s last name, father’s last name or a completely different last name.

12. Can parents sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity if they don’t have a valid Social Security number or can’t remember the number?

As much of the VAP should be completed as possible, but yes, parents without an SSN can sign a VAP. They can also complete a VAP if they can’t remember certain information such as their SSN, address or place of birth. In these cases, a dash ( - ) should be put in the field to indicate the item was addressed.

13. Can minor parents sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity without their parents’ consent?

Yes, the minor parents can sign a VAP without their parents’ permission.

14. Is a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity necessary for a stillborn child? Is a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity completed when a child dies after birth?

A VAP would not be completed for a stillborn because there is no birth certificate completed. If the parents are unmarried and the child is born alive then dies, a VAP would be necessary to place the father’s name on the birth certificate and subsequent death certificate.