VITAL RECORDS

Acknowledgement of Paternity/Parentage

An Acknowledgement of Paternity/Parentage VS 22 (PDF) form is utilized when:

Adding a parent to a blank space on the original birth certificate
Both parents are available to sign the affidavit

Note: If a second parent is already listed on the birth certificate, or both parents are not available to sign the VS 22 form, then the Adjudication of Facts of Parentage is necessary and requires a court order.

Information for the Acknowledgment of Paternity/Parentage process is located in the “Add Remove or Replace a Parent on a Birth Certificate” pamphlet. To request an informational pamphlet, please provide the recipient’s name, mailing address, and the name of the pamphlet, "Add Remove or Replace a Parent on a Birth Certificate,” to the Amendment Section at AMENDVR@cdph.ca.gov or call (916) 445-2684.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents are used to support the information being amended.

When adding a parent to a birth certificate of a person born prior to January 1, 1995, no supporting documents are required other than a notarized sworn statement.

One of the following supporting documents is required for children born on or after January 1, 1995:

If the parents were married to each other at the time of the child’s birth, submit a photocopy of parent’s marriage certificate
If the parents were in a State Registered Domestic Partnership (SRDP) at the time of the child’s birth, submit a photocopy of the parent’s SRDP declaration
If the parents were neither married to each other nor in an SRDP at the time of the child’s birth, submit a certified copy of the Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (DCSS0909) form that was filed with the Department of Child Support Services

For information regarding obtaining or filing a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (DCSS0909) form, please visit the Department of Child Support Services’ website.

Sworn Statement

A notarized Sworn Statement, completed by an authorized person, is required to receive a certified authorized copy of the amended certificate. Please visit the Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy webpage for a list of authorized persons.

Certificate Fees

Acknowledgement of Facts of Paternity/Parentage require a twenty-three dollar ($23) registration fee, which includes one certified copy of the new birth certificate
Additional certified copies are twenty-five dollars ($25) each