June 2022

The Voluntary Paternity Affidavit program provides information and resources for Iowa hospitals, clinics, community organizations, and families. This program is funded through a partnership between Iowa State University and Iowa Child Support. To learn more visit our website.

Voluntary Paternity Affidavit

Timely submission of VPA forms

According to the Bureau of Health Statistics, the best practice timeframe for submitting completed VPA forms is at least weekly.

Birth certificates for children born to unmarried mothers are held by the state for up to 60 days after their birth to allow time for documentation of paternity.

The sooner VPA's are received and approved, the sooner parents can get an original birth certificate with both names included.

Ensuring that fathers’ names are included on the original birth certificate is important for several reasons:

A birth certificate with the father's name is required for access to benefits like social security for the child, and to establish the father's legal standing to pursue custody and visitation rights.

For benefits like health insurance, there is often only a 30-day window of time after a qualifying event (the child’s birth) to add them to a policy. If the father does not have a birth certificate with his name included during that timeframe, he will not be able to provide that essential support.

If the father's name is not included on the original birth certificate, parents have to send in the original to get an updated copy when the father’s name is added.

Hospitals can do their part to help parents get an original birth certificate with both names by sending completed VPA forms to BHS at least weekly.

If you have any questions, please contact BHS at 515-281-6687.

Hospital Reimbursement

Did you know that your hospital could get paid for submitting VPA’s?

Iowa Child Support offers contracts with hospitals to pay a $20 reimbursement for each complete VPA form submitted to BHS.

More than 30 participating hospitals have received reimbursement in 2022 for submitting their completed VPA's.

Don't miss out! Find out how your hospital can get involved, too.

Contact Iowa Child Support Contracts Team to learn more.

Iowa Child Support Contracts Team

Program Highlights

VPA Online training - AVAILABLE NOW!

The VPA online training is now available! It's free and available on demand.

The training is meant as an introduction or refresher for anyone who answers questions about or assists families with the Voluntary Paternity Affidavit, including:

Hospital staff
Prenatal providers
Notaries
Midwives and Doulas

County Recorders
Community Organizations
Income maintenance workers
Social workers

Each month an average of 160 VPA's are rejected due to errors. When that happens, families have to start the process over from scratch. Whether you are new to VPA's or are a seasoned pro, the training can help you guide parents to accurately complete the process, spot errors, and reduce rejections.

Visit our website, or use the link below to take the VPA training. If you know someone who would benefit from the training, please share the link to spread the word!

If you have questions, please send us an email at pataff@iastate.edu.

TAKE THE VPA TRAINING

Resource Spotlight

Infant Formula Shortage

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a website highlighting resources and tips for families affected by the infant formula shortage.

The site was recently updated to include social media toolkits to help organizations share information in their communities.

Both the website and the social media toolkit are available in four languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole.

Click the image on the right to view the information for parents, or the button below to view the toolkit.

HHS Social Media Toolkit

Agency Operations Information

Bureau of Health Statistics (BHS)

Paternity Affidavit and Birth Registration processing continues to proceed as normal. Please send completed and notarized forms and supporting documents to BHS. The following staff are available to assist you if needed:

Paternity Affidavit

Sonia Hocking (515) 281-6687

Laura Shirk (515) 281-3266

Birth Registration

Laura Shirk (515) 281-3266

Iowa Child Support

Because not all staff are on-site, the best way to reach Iowa Child Support staff is by phone, email and in writing. Staff may be able to offer virtual appointments. Child support payments are no longer accepted in offices. Visit the Payments page to learn about ways to make a child support payment.

VPA Outreach Coordinator – Amy Peters

The VPA Outreach Coordinator is working remotely, and can best be reached by email at pataff@iastate.edu.

Materials orders are being filled. Please click on the link below to complete the order form.

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