- The parents’ marital status and the circumstances of the child’s birth must permit them to establish paternity through an AOP. Generally, this means that the child must be born in the District and the parents must not be married.
- Both parents must be given written and oral information (which may be through videotape or audiotape) about alternatives to, legal con-sequences of, and the rights and responsibilities that arise from signing the AOP. The oral information may given through a videotape or audiotape.
The relevant District law is D.C. Official Code § 16-909.01(a)(1).
3. Will signing the AOP guarantee me visitation and custody?
No, signing the AOP does not guarantee either parent visitation or custody. But a man who does not sign the AOP or otherwise have paternity established has no legal right to visit or get custody of his child.
4. Will I have to pay child support if I sign the AOP?
Any parent who is not living with his or her minor child (meaning a child who is under 21 years of age) can be ordered to pay child support. If you have signed the AOP, and do not live with your minor child, you can be ordered to pay child support. See "Age of Emancipation" under FAQs for more information.
5. Do we have to sign the AOP immediately?
For the fathers name to go on the original birth certificate, the acknowledgement will usually need to be signed before the mother and child leave the hospital. But, the original birth certificate can be changed if the parents acknowledge paternity at a later time.
6. I do not have a Social Security number. Can I still sign the AOP?
If you are able to get a Social Security number, it is a good idea to get one. But if you do not have a Social Security number, you can still sign the AOP. Write “999-99-9999” in the space.
7. I am not in the U.S. legally. Can I still sign the AOP?
Neither the father nor the mother have to be U.S. citizens or in the U.S. legally to sign the AOP. A father or mother who is in the U.S. illegally can sign.
8. What is a notary public?
A notary public (or notary) is a person who is authorized by the District to “notarize” documents. The notary verifies that the person who signs a document is the person identified in the document. The notary does this by seeing the person’s identification and seeing the person sign the document.
9. Do I have to provide any identification to sign the AOP?
Yes. The notary public (or notary) will ask you for proof of your identify.
It is up to the notary to decide what is sufficient proof of identity?
Generally, any government issued identification is acceptable. That includes a driver’s license, a State issued identify card, a passport, or a military id. The identification should be current; a notary may decide not to accept an identification that has expired.
10. I do not have a valid driver’s license. Is there anything else I can use to prove I am who I say I am?
A driver’s license is a common way of showing proof of identity, but it is not the only way. Generally, any official photo identification will be acceptable, for example, a passport, or a school or military identification.
11. Can I use a utility bill to prove my identity?
No, a utility bill cannot be used to prove your identity.
12. My girlfriend and I completed and signed the AOP, but our signatures are not notarized. Does the AOP still establish paternity?
No, the AOP is not completed unless both parents sign in the presence of the notary and both signatures are notarized.
13. I am in the military and stationed overseas. How can I sign the AOP?
CSSD will work with military families to create a valid AOP. For example, we may send you written materials and the DVD “The Power of Two”, arrange to speak with you so you can ask questions, and ask your commanding officer or a chaplain to witness your signature.
14. Our child is not born yet. Can we sign the AOP now?
In the District, the AOP cannot be signed and notarized until the child is born. However, the parents can complete the other information required by the AOP before the child is born, and leave only the signing and notarization to be completed after the baby’s birth.
15. Where do we go to complete an AOP for our child?
The easiest way to complete the AOP is to do it at the hospital or birthing center after the child is born. Staff there will help parents complete the AOP and notarize it. They also will file the AOP with Vital Records.
If you child is already born, you can come to either Vital Records or the Child Support Services Division. At both locations, staff will help you complete the AOP, notarize it, and have it filed.
16. Is there a fee to complete the AOP?
There is no fee if the AOP is completed at the hospital or birthing center after giving birth.
There is also no fee if the AOP is completed at the Child Support Services Division. CSSD will also file the AOP for you.
There is a small fee at Vital Records.
17. Where can I get a blank Acknowledgement of Paternity?
If your child is born at a hospital or birthing center, staff there will give the unmarried mother and alleged father the blank AOP and explain their rights and responsibilities.
The blank AOP is also available at Vital Records and CSSD. If you go there to sign the AOP, staff will provide the form, explain your rights and responsibilities and notarize your signatures.
18. I signed the AOP and now I changed my mind. Can I take back my signature?
Either person who signed the AOP can take back (or “rescind”) their signature, but there are time limits for doing this.
An AOP may be rescinded within:
- 60 days; or
- The date of an administrative or judicial proceeding relating to the child in which the signatory is a party whichever is earlier.
The relevant District law is D.C. Code § 16-909.01(a-1).
19. How do I rescind the AOP?
There is a form that can be used to rescind the AOP. The form is available at the Child Support Services Division and the Vital Records Division. It needs to be completed entirely, typed or hand-written in ink.
20. Do I have to give a reason for rescinding?
No, the person who rescinds the AOP does not have a give a reason for rescinding.
21. If I rescind, is my name still on the birth certificate?
If the AOP is rescinded in accordance with the procedures set out in the law, the man’s name is be deleted from the AOP as the child’s father. In addition, if the child has the man’s last name, the child’s last name will be changed on the child’s birth certificate.
22. My child’s mother rescinded the AOP. I want to be recognized as my child’s father. What can I do?
Paternity can also be established by a court. A man who believes he is the father can ask the court for an order declaring him to be the father.
For more information about this option, contact the District of Columbia Family Court Self-Help Center. The Center is located at:
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room JM-570
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1471
The hours of operation are Mondays-Fridays from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Intakes are not accepted after 4:30 pm.
