Frequently Asked Questions

For more information, or to get answers to a question you don't see here, you can contact the Louisiana Paternity Establishment Program at 866.430.9569. Live representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Central Time.

Paternity Establishment FAQs

+ What is paternity establishment?

• Paternity establishment is how a biological father obtains the legal rights to his child if he and the mother are not married.
• For unmarried parents, paternity must be established before the father’s name can appear on the birth certificate.
• For a child whose mother is or was married to someone other than the biological father within 300 days of the birth, the husband/former husband is presumed to be the father and will be added to the birth certificate unless the biological father acknowledges paternity.

+ How can paternity be established?

Completing and signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) Affidavit: If both parties agree they are the biological parents of the child, the Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit can be completed. By signing the form, parents are establishing paternity for their child ─ giving the father legal rights to his child. Completing the form is voluntary, it’s free when completed at the hospital, and is the quickest way to establish paternity.

Paternity affidavits can be completed in the hospital at the time of birth or afterwards at the Vital Records Central Office in New Orleans, at a local child support office, or by mail. For more information about paternity affidavits, visit our AOP Information page. For additional information about paternity affidavits visit Vital Records.

+ What are the benefits of establishing paternity?

• The father gets his name added to the birth certificate and gains legal rights to his child. His child then has access to benefits such as Social Security, life insurance, military benefits, and inheritances.
• Your child will also have access to their father’s health insurance as well as both families’ medical histories and lineages.
• Allows both mother and father to develop an emotional bond with their child and share in the responsibilities and rewards of parenting.
• Decreases your child’s chances for high-risk behaviors, like dropping out of school or taking drugs.

+ What if I'm unsure if paternity has been established for my child?

• The best step is to review the child's birth certificate.
• If the birth certificate identifies a father, then paternity has been established. If there is no father identified on the child’s birth certificate, then paternity has not been established.

Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) Affidavit FAQs

+ What is an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) Affidavit form?

If unmarried, and both parties agree they are the biological parents of the child, the AOP can be completed. By signing the form, parents are establishing paternity for their child ─ giving the father legal rights to his child. Completing this form is voluntary, it’s free, and is the quickest way to establish paternity. Once completed, the Acknowledgement of Paternity Affidavit is used to add the biological father to the child’s birth certificate.

1. Child born outside of marriage: An AOP form for unmarried parents.
2. Child born of marriage: A 3-party AOP form for married or recently divorced (within 300 days of the birth) parents where a third-party biological father is involved.
   • The use of 3-party AOP is limited to cases where the husband and the mother lived separate and apart continuously for a minimum of 180 days prior to the conception of the child and have not reconciled since the beginning of the 180-day period. This affidavit cannot be used if the agreement of any party cannot be obtained or if the parties cannot meet the statutory requirements. In these cases, a court must establish paternity in accordance with R.S.40:46.1 in order for the biological father's name to be added to the birth certificate. If you are not sure if you can use the 3-party AOP, please contact vital records at 504.593.5122.

+ Where can I get a blank copy of the AOP form?

• A blank/complimentary copy of the Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit can be obtained from the birth certificate office at the hospital at which the baby was born.

• Child born outside marriage
• Child born of marriage

• Vital Records Central Office in New Orleans (2-party AOP & 3-party AOP)
• Child Support Enforcement (2-party AOP only)

+ Is the AOP the right option for me and my child?

• The father gains legal rights to his child. His child then has access to benefits such as Social Security, life insurance, military benefits, and inheritances.
• Your child will also have access to their father’s health insurance as well as both families’ medical histories and lineages.
• Allows both mother and father to develop an emotional bond with their child and share in the responsibilities and rewards of parenting.

+ What are the requirements to complete an AOP Form?

• Picture ID
• Social Security Number (if you have one)
• Parent’s information: Full name, date of birth, place of birth, current address, employment and insurance information

• Picture ID
• Social Security Number (if you have one)
• Parent’s information: Full name, date of birth, place of birth, current address, employment and insurance information
• Child’s certified birth certificate
• A legally licensed notary. Both parents must sign this form with two witnesses each in the presence of a licensed notary. If completing a 3-party AOP, the mother, father, and husband/ex-husband must sign this form with two witnesses each in the presence of a licensed notary. DO NOT SIGN THIS FORM BEFORE YOU HAVE IT NOTARIZED. Show the notary your picture identification. The notary must write or stamp their State Notary ID Number under their signature.
• If you are completing a 3-party AOP, you must provide a certified DNA-based paternity test that shows the identity of the biological father with at least 99.9% probability.

+ What types of identification are acceptable to complete an AOP form?

• Driver’s license
• State ID card (available at Department of Motor Vehicles offices for a small fee)
• Consular ID card or other government-issued, valid identification from country of origin (must be listed in the International ID Checking Guide to be accepted if it is from another country)

+ How much does it cost to complete the AOP form?

Completed in Hospital

• If the AOP is completed in the hospital, there is no charge. Once Vital Records processes the AOP, they will mail a certified copy of the birth certificate to the address listed on the form at no extra charge.

Completed in-person at the Vital Records Central Office in New Orleans or by mail

• AOPs that are completed after parents have left the hospital require special processing and a small fee to amend the child's birth certificate.
• Parents must submit the appropriate completed form to Vital Records with your child's certified birth certificate along with a fee of $27.50. This fee includes one certified copy of the child's amended birth certificate. At the time of submission, you may also include $9.00 for each additional certified copy you would like to receive. If parents do not submit a certified copy of the child's birth certificate, they must include an additional $15 to cover a statutory search.

Completed in-person at Child Support Enforcement (CSE)

• A local child support office can assist unmarried parents with the AOP form and genetic testing. One parent will need to complete an application ($25.00 fee) for CSE services. CSE does not provide paternity-only services for applicants.

+ I would like to submit an AOP by mail. Where should I mail the form and fees?

Louisiana Vital Records
ATTN: Amendment Department
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160

+ Do parents have to sign the affidavit in each other’s presence?

No. Although both parents are required to sign the affidavit, it may be signed without being in each other’s presence. However, each parent’s signature must be notarized in front of two witnesses at the time of signing. After both parents have signed and notarized, the form must be submitted to Louisiana Vital Records.

+ Can non-U.S. resident sign the AOP?

Yes. Regardless of a parent’s citizenship, they can establish paternity for their child, who is a U.S. citizen, as long as all required documentation and proper identification is provided. This form is not used to track non-U.S. residents.

+ What if the biological father is under the age of 18 at the time of conception and what are his legal rights?

If the biological father is under the age of 18 at the time of conception, he can be included on the birth certificate as long as proper witnesses and documents are available. The minor must have consent from both of his parents by signing as witnesses on the AOP. If the location of the minor’s father/guardian is unknown, the minor’s mother or appointed guardian must present legal custody papers. If proper documents and witnesses are not available during the time of birth, the AOP will be filed containing only the mother’s information and the newborn will be given mother’s last name. Once the minor is 18, they can complete an AOP through the Vital Records Registry for the assigned fees.

• Witnesses for signing: Both guardians of the minor
• Minor must present a birth certificate (only if needed as another source of identification)
• Picture ID
• Social Security Number (if they have one)
• Legal custody papers if the location of the father/guardian is unknown

+ The father or mother would like to sign an AOP but the other parent is not available or does not wish to cooperate. How can I establish paternity?

• Signatures of both the father and the mother are required for an AOP to be completed. If one party is unavailable to sign or will not cooperate, an AOP cannot be executed. Paternity will have to be established judicially through the courts.
• Parties may either seek private counsel to assist or compete an application at a local Child Support Enforcement (CSE) office to establish paternity and child support. CSE does not provide paternity-only services for applicants.

+ What if parents change their minds later?

Parents should think carefully before completing an Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit. If they do change their minds, they have 60 days to rescind (cancel) the acknowledgment. For more revocation information, visit Vital Records.