Homepage Blank Arkansas Acknowledgement Paternity Form

Form Properties

Fact Name Fact Description
Signing Timeline The Acknowledgment of Paternity cannot be signed before the child is born.
Legal Document This form is a legal document and must be completed in black ink without alterations.
Insurance Information Parents must fill in all spaces, including insurance details, even if not applicable.
Notary Requirement Both parents must sign in the presence of a notary public, who will need to verify their identity.
Hospital Assistance If signing at the hospital, staff will assist with the notary and mailing of the form.
Filing Fees There is no fee if the acknowledgment is submitted before the birth certificate is sent; otherwise, it costs $27.00.
Eligibility This form can be signed for any child born in Arkansas and can be mailed for notarization.
Denial of Paternity If the mother was married at conception, a denial of paternity must be submitted before the birth certificate is filed.
Rescission Process Parents can rescind their acknowledgment within 60 days by filing a rescission form with the Division of Vital Records.
Governing Laws The Acknowledgment of Paternity is governed by Arkansas law, specifically under the Arkansas Code Annotated § 20-18-401.

Key takeaways

Key Takeaways for Using the Arkansas Acknowledgment Paternity Form:

  • Ensure that the form is signed only after the child is born. Signing before the birth is not permitted.
  • Complete the form accurately using black ink. All sections must be filled out, including insurance details, even if you have none.
  • Both parents must sign the form in front of a notary public. Identification is required, and if a rubber stamp is used, it must be applied to both signatures.
  • Be aware of the timelines for rescinding the acknowledgment. You have 60 days to change your mind, after which legal action may be necessary to alter the established parentage.

Detailed Steps for Using Arkansas Acknowledgement Paternity

After completing the Arkansas Acknowledgment of Paternity form, it is essential to submit it correctly to ensure that the legal acknowledgment of paternity is recognized. The next steps involve signing the form in front of a notary public and sending the necessary copies to the appropriate offices.

  1. Obtain the Acknowledgment of Paternity form.
  2. Fill out the form using black ink. Ensure all spaces are completed.
  3. List your insurance information, even if it won’t cover the hospital bill. If you have no insurance, write “none.”
  4. Provide your Social Security Number as it is mandatory.
  5. Both parents must sign the form in front of a notary public. Bring a valid ID, like a driver’s license or school ID.
  6. If you are at the hospital, inform the staff when you are ready to sign. They will assist with the notary and mailing.
  7. If completing the form after the birth certificate has been sent, ensure you sign in front of a notary.
  8. Keep the blue copies of the form for your records.
  9. Send the white original copy to the Office of Child Support Enforcement and the white copy to the Division of Vital Records.
  10. If you want a copy of the birth certificate, enclose a fee of $27.00 with the white copy.

Common mistakes

Filling out the Arkansas Acknowledgment of Paternity form is a crucial step for parents looking to establish legal paternity. However, many people make mistakes that can complicate the process. One common error is failing to sign the form in front of a notary public. Both parents must be present and provide valid identification. Without this step, the acknowledgment may not be legally recognized, leading to potential issues down the line.

Another frequent mistake involves incomplete information. Every section of the form must be filled out, including details about health insurance. If you don’t have insurance, simply writing “none” is necessary. Leaving any space blank can result in delays or rejection of the form. It’s essential to ensure that all required fields are completed to avoid unnecessary complications.

Many individuals overlook the importance of timing when signing the form. The Acknowledgment of Paternity cannot be signed before the child is born. This may seem straightforward, but it’s easy to forget in the excitement of welcoming a new child. Signing too early can invalidate the form, causing significant delays in establishing paternity.

Lastly, parents often neglect to keep copies of the completed form. After submitting the original to the Office of Child Support Enforcement and the Division of Vital Records, it’s crucial to retain the blue copies for personal records. These copies can be important for future reference, especially if any disputes arise regarding paternity or child support. Keeping thorough records is a simple yet effective way to avoid future headaches.

Arkansas Acknowledgement Paternity Sample

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. 104-193 and may be used for child support purposes.

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 1-800-637-9314. The rescission form must be filed prior to any administrative or judicial proceeding regarding the child takes place, or within sixty (60) days from the date the voluntary acknowledgment is signed, which ever comes first. After sixty (60) days, the only way to change the established parents of the child is to file a motion with the court. A motion, if filed, must be based on a claim that the signing of the acknowledgment was because of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. You may want to discuss with your attorney what facts might be needed to prove these claims.