The Arkansas Acknowledgment of Paternity form is a crucial document for new parents within the state, serving as a legal assertion of a father's paternity. It's important to understand that this form cannot be signed until after the child's birth and needs to be filled out with black ink without any alterations. Parents should also list their insurance details on the form, even if it does not cover the birth expenses, and provide their Social Security Numbers, which are required under federal law for child support purposes. Both parents must sign the form in the presence of a notary, showing proper identification during the process. The form plays a significant role in the birth certification process; if completed and submitted at the hospital, it helps avoid a filing fee, although there will still be a charge for obtaining a copy of the birth certificate. Filing the form post-birth requires a notary and comes with specific instructions if there is a wish to change the child’s last name. The document also outlines the process for denying a husband's paternity if the mother was married during pregnancy but the husband is not the child's biological father. Additionally, there is a provision for rescinding the acknowledgment within a 60-day window, should any party change their mind, with further legal actions needing substantial proof of fraud, duress, or a significant mistake of fact for alterations beyond this period. This form is not only legal evidence of paternity but also a critical first step in defining a child’s familial relationships and ensuring their eligibility for child support.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Arkansas Acknowledgement Paternity Form |
| Form Length | 2 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 30 sec |
| Other names | aop form, how to get a copy of acknowledgement of paternity, how can i obtain a copy of the paternity acknowledgement form i signed in arkanas, acknowledgment form arkansas |
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY
Please read these instructions before filling out this form. Read the important information about your rights and responsibilities on the back of this form.
1.This Acknowledgment of Paternity may not be signed before your child is born.
2.This is a legal document. Type or complete in black ink and do not alter.
3.Fill in all of the spaces. List your insurance even if it will not cover the hospital bill for your child’s birth. If you do not have insurance, write “none” in that space. Disclosure of your Social Security Number is mandatory under P. L.
4. Each parent must sign in the presence of a notary public. Show the notary identification with your picture, such as a driver’s license or school ID. If the notary uses a rubber stamp they must stamp both the mother’s and father’s signatures and on each copy.
5.If you are completing this form at the hospital when your baby is born, tell the staff when you are ready to sign. They will help you with the notary and mail it for you. If you give the completed Acknowledgment for Paternity to the hospital staff responsible for birth certificates before the birth certificate is sent to the Division of Vital Records, there is no filing fee. Note: there will be a charge of $12.00 for a copy of the birth certificate when you order it from the Division of Vital Records.
6.If you are completing this form after the hospital has sent the birth certificate to the Division of Vital Records, remember to sign this Acknowledgment in front of a notary public. If the notary uses a rubber stamp they must stamp both the mother’s and father’s signatures and on each copy. If you want to change your child’s last name, carefully read and follow the directions under the child’s information section on the Acknowledgment of Paternity form. The parents should keep the blue copies of this form. Send the white (original) to the Office of Child Support Enforcement and the white (copy) to the Division of Vital Records at the addresses shown below.
Office of Child Support Enforcement |
Division of Vital Records |
P. O. Box 8133 |
Arkansas Department of Health |
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 |
4815 West Markham, Slot 44 |
|
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 |
For a copy of an updated birth certificate enclose a fee of $27.00 with the white copy. This $27.00 includes $15.00 for the filing fee and $12.00 for a copy of the birth certificate.
7.This Acknowledgment of Paternity may be signed for any child who was born in Arkansas. It can be mailed to a parent anywhere to be signed in the presence of a Notary.
8.If the mother was married when she became pregnant or anytime while she was pregnant, but the husband is not the biological (natural) father, follow the instructions on the back of this Acknowledgment of Paternity (Denial of Husband’s Paternity). An acknowledgment denying paternity must be submitted before the hospital submits the birth certificate to the Division of Vital Records.
9.Any person signing a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity may change their mind and rescind their acknowledgement. To do this, you should complete a rescission form and file it with the Division of Vital Records. You may request a rescission form by calling the Division of Vital Records at