***WHAT YOU AS A PARENT MUST KNOW BEFORE SIGNING THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY***
BENEFITS FOR THE CHILD AND PARENTS
*Identity and Security · *Support from the child's father and mother * Access to the father's medical benefits * Access to the father's medical history information * Access to survivor's benefits and rights of inheritance
Upon receipt of this properly notarized or witnessed form, the Office of Vital Statistics shall prepare and file a new birth record reflecting the information as shown under section entitled "INFORMATION FOR NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE". The original birth record and this "ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY" will be placed under seal only to be opened and released pursuant to an order from a court of competent jurisdiction. Since documentation supporting the amendment may be required by the Social Security Administration, or other agencies, we suggest you make a copy of this form for your records prior to submission. NOTE: If signatures of mother and father have been witnessed, please provide picture identification for each parent as picture identification must be provided for us to issue certification of the amended record to either of the parents. Acceptable forms are a driver's license, passport, state identification card or military identification card.
RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: When both parents sign this ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY they swear they are the natural parents of this child. After signing, either parent has the right to cancel the effect of the acknowledgment within 60 days unless there has been a court hearing regarding that parent and the child. If there is no court hearing within 60 days of when the acknowledgment is signed, paternity is legally established under the laws of Florida. Once the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY is signed by both parents, the name of the father is placed on the child's birth certificate. Even if the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY is cancelled within 60 days, the birth certificate can only be changed and the father's name removed by a court order. Contact this office if you wish to file a rescission.
After paternity is legally established, paternity can only be challenged by proving in court that your signature on the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY was obtained through fraud, under duress, or that there was a material mistake in fact. The court will decide whether your name can be removed. Do not sign the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY if you are not certain you are the child's father.
WHAT ARE YOU AGREEING TO? If you are the mother, you are agreeing that the person signing as the child's father is, in fact, the biological father of your child. If you are the father, you are agreeing that you are the biological father of the child and you and the mother will be responsible for the child's financial and medical support until he or she is an adult. This usually means until the child is eighteen years old.
CAN I SIGN IF I AM LESS THAN 18 YEARS OLD? According to the law, a minor can sign the acknowledgment. However, minors are encouraged to obtain the consent of their legal guardian before signing the acknowledgment. An understanding of the rights and responsibilities associated with establishing paternity by acknowledgment is important before completing the form.
CONSEQUENCES: By signing this ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY you declare that the mother was unwed at the time of her child's birth and that you are the child's parents, and that you are undertaking responsibility for this child as provided by law. Designated health or Child Support staff are required to explain and clarify the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY and paternity establishment to both mother and father, to inform you of your rights and give you the opportunity to voluntarily acknowledge paternity. Original signatures are required. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask. If you do not understand it, do not sign it. After you both sign and submit the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY a birth certificate listing both parents will be placed on file.
ALTERNATIVE TO SIGNING: Under Florida law, if both parents do not sign this ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY, paternity may be established by the court. A paternity action may be filed by the mother, the natural father, the child and/or the state on behalf of the mother, the father, or the child. If a court action is filed, either parent may be ordered to pay costs, including the cost of genetic testing. All costs, including genetic tests, will be billed to the man found to be the legal father. If you want to file a court action to establish paternity and you need help, contact the local Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Office or a private attorney.
INFORMATION FOR NEW CERTIFICATE: If the child is under the age of one, a change to the child's given name may be requested by entering the name as you wish it shown on the new birth certificate. If the child is more than one year, a change other than a misspelling, omission, or a correction that is accompanied by supporting documentary evidence, can only be made upon receipt of an order from a court of competent jurisdiction. A change to a child's surname to the mother's maiden name, father's surname or a combination of both can be made regardless of the child's age by entering the name as you wish it to appear on the new birth certificate. The new birth record will show child's name as well as father's name and personal identifying information regarding him as reflected on this form. Therefore, be sure to list the information as you wish it reflected on the new record. If only an initial is shown for a given name, a name omitted, wrong surname, etc. the new record can only be amended in regard to the child's name by a court of competent jurisdiction. Evidence of the father's true facts of birth in the form of a birth certificate or other documentation may be required to correct any information provided to us in error.
FEE/CERTIFICATION OF NEW RECORD: An amendment-processing fee of $20.00 is required which includes the issuance
of one certification of the new birth record. Picture identification must be provided for us to issue certification of the amended record. Acceptable forms are a driver's license, passport, state identification card or military identification card.
DH Form 429, Application for Amendment to Florida Birth Record is available for remittance. If you need assistance, please e- mail our office at VITALSTATS@DOH.STATE.FL.US
MAIL TO: STATE OFFICE OF VITAL STATISTICS, ATTN: PATERNITY UNIT, P. O. BOX 210, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32231-0042.
I HAVE READ [OR HAVE HAD READ TO ME] AND UNDERSTAND THIS DOCUMENT:
Signature of Natural Father: _________________________________ |
Signature of Natural Mother: ________________________________ |
Date Signed: _____________________________________________ |
Date Signed: _____________________________________________ |