October, 2020
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's Child Support Recovery Unit.

To learn more visit our website.
Digital Media Update
The new VPA informational video is now available!

This replaces the old 'Power of Two' video, and can be used along with our print materials to help unmarried parents learn about and better understand the VPA process.

The video is currently available on our website. We will also be sending copies of the video to hospitals in the coming months.

Please visit our website to watch the video and find additional resources to support your education and outreach activities.
Paternity Affidavit Form
Notary and Signature Section
In each newsletter we feature a sample of one section of the current form with tips for completing it accurately. In this issue, we look at the notary and signature section.
It is important for the person notarizing the form to ensure that this section is done accurately, and that acceptable identification is presented, copied, and submitted with the VPA form. An error on the part of the notary may cause the affidavit to be rejected, and result in the parents having to duplicate the process.
  1. Each parent signing the Paternity Affidavit must personally appear before the notary.
  2. Each parent must establish their identity for the notary with acceptable identification documents. *A list of acceptable documents can be found here.
  3. Each person’s current name MUST match the name on their ID. The mother’s current name must also match her current name as she provided on the Mother’s portion of the child’s birth worksheet.
  4. The notary should assess whether each parent is competent to sign, and is doing so voluntarily.  
  5. The notary should alert the signer to any blanks on the Paternity Affidavit form.
  6. Each parent must sign the document in the appropriate space. There are designated signature lines for the father and for the mother. 
  7. The date next to each parent’s signature must match the date next to the notary’s signature in their section. Parents can sign on different dates, however the notary’s date must match the date for each signature. See the example above.
  8. The notary must use their stamp/seal for each signature in the spaces provided. 
  9. A photocopy of the ID’s that were presented to the notary must be sent in with the Paternity Affidavit form. Include the reverse side of the ID only if the person’s signature is on the reverse side instead of the front. 

If you have any questions about completing the form, please contact the VPA Outreach Coordinator at [email protected].
Resource Spotlight
COVID Recovery Iowa was launched in 2020 through a FEMA grant to the Iowa Department of Human Services. They provide free support and resources for anyone affected by the ongoing pandemic and August 2020 Derecho. 

Services include free, confidential, virtual counseling, virtual support groups, phone support lines in English and Spanish, and information about other programs and supports state-wide. 

Their outreach includes free family-friendly videos and activities available on their social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Services will be available through the end of June, 2021.

For more information, visit their website or social media pages, or call one of their free support lines.

Iowa WARM Line – 844-775-WARM (9276) - Provides confidential access to peer counseling and can connect people with services.

Iowa Concern – 800-447-1985 - confidential access to stress counselors and an attorney for legal education, as well as information and referral services for a wide variety of topics.

Spanish Line – 531-800-3687 - confidential access to stress counselors and an attorney for legal education, as well as information and referral services for a wide variety of topics.
Covid-19: Agency Operations Information
Operations for these agencies continue as noted below.
Bureau of Health Statistics
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 Geist      (515) 281-3266

Birth Registration
Molly Gilliam    (515) 242-6332


Child Support Recovery Unit
Local CSRU office lobbies are closed to the general public, with most employees working remotely. Information about how to reach local offices by email and phone is available at childsupport.ia.gov through the 'Offices' tab.


VPA Outreach Coordinator – Amy Peters
Iowa State University continues to restrict professional travel and outreach activities. The VPA Outreach Coordinator is working remotely, and can best be reached by email at [email protected].

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