By signing the Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form, both parents are establishing their baby's paternity. Paternity means legal fatherhood. Signing this form legally establishes paternity. This means the court may order support for the baby without having a court hearing to prove who is the father. Support could include paying for medical bills and providing health insurance.
Support is paid until the baby becomes an adult.
If the father and mother cannot agree on those things, the father will need to get a court order. Either person who signed the form may change their minds after the Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form is mailed in. To cancel this Paternity Acknowledgment, either the mother or the father may fill out a Request to Withdraw Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form. This must be done before the court or a child support agency sets up a child support order. If you have any questions, you should talk to a counselor, case worker, or attorney.