Each month, an average of 140 paternity affidavit forms are rejected by the Bureau of Health Statistics because of errors or missing information. According to BHS, these are the most frequent reasons for rejection:

  • The old form is used, and information is missing.
  • Names not matching the IDs. Either using a nickname, (i.e. Sam instead of Samuel) or not putting full last names when there is more than one last name.
  • Names being entered in the wrong field. First and last names are often reversed.
  • Social security fields left blank.
  • Mother's marital statement is blank.
  • Problems with forms of identification (no IDs, not enough IDs, or expired IDs).
  • Notary or parents' signature dates altered or left off.

You can help families reduce the chance of having a rejected affidavit by sharing these tips for avoiding common errors.

  • Check to confirm that the new form updated in 2019 is being used, and is printed on official registration paper. *The revision date is printed on the bottom right corner of the form.
  • Check that all fields are filled in with the requested information. In the middle name field, and the social security number field, check the box indicating ‘none’ rather than leaving it blank.
  • Match the names on the form exactly with the names on the identification presented.
  • Confirm that one of the two boxes on the mother’s marital statement is checked.
  • Check identification against the approved ID list to ensure current, sufficient, and acceptable forms of ID are presented.
  • Ensure that copies of the identification used are included with the submitted form.
  • Check that each parent's signature and date are in the correct fields (mother in mother’s field, father in father’s field).
  • Check that each parent’s signature date matches the notary signature date for that person. 
  • If any errors are found, use a new form rather than crossing out or using correction fluid.

Please contact us if you have any questions.