New parents who are
not married may sign a paternity form at the hospital immediately
following the birth of their child. This form is called
a Declaration of Paternity. Signing this form will make
the process of legally establishing paternity easier and
faster in most cases. A Declaration of Paternity may also
be signed by parents after they leave the hospital.
In an effort to create
a legal "link" between unmarried fathers and their
children, the California Department of Social Services joined
other states, in a partnership with licensed hospitals and
clinics with birthing facilities, to establish the Paternity
Opportunity Program (POP). This voluntary in-hospital paternity
acknowledgment program, implemented in January of 1995,
involves approximately 360 of California's licensed hospitals
and clinics. The program has since been expanded to prenatal
clinics, county welfare offices, local vital records offices,
and courts.
As a result of federal
welfare reform legislation effective January 1st, 1997,
if the parents of a child are not legally married, the father's
name will NOT be added to the birth certificate unless they:
1. Sign a Declaration
of Paternity in the hospital, or
2. Sign the form later or legally establish paternity
through the courts and pay a fee ($19.00) to amend the
birth certificate.
