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.
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This year has presented unique challenges to all of us. While we were unable to conduct outreach activities in person, we continued to provide support in other ways.
Since January 1, we have sent out over 15,000 pieces of educational materials to hospitals, community groups, and service agencies across the state. We updated our educational materials, and created a new informational video to replace the outdated “Power of 2”. Through our newsletter, we provided information and resources to support your efforts in assisting families. This month, we added an updated version of the “What to Bring” wallet card in both English and Spanish to our order form. It is now available to order here.
For 2021, we will be creating a Spanish language version of the new informational video. We will also continue to explore ways to safely deliver outreach activities to hospitals and community organizations across Iowa.
We wish you a safe, healthy, and happy new year!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Iowa Concern is a program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The program began in 1985 as a toll-free number serving the agricultural community.
Today, Iowa Concern serves all Iowans with information and resources about topics including legal and financial concerns, stress, and crisis or disaster issues. Iowa Concern services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week at no charge.
Resources are available several ways:
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Hotline - toll-free at 1-800-447-1985; language interpretation services available
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Live chat service that immediately connects you with a stress counselor where you can "talk" (type) one-on-one in a secure environment
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Frequently asked questions database of legal, finance, crisis and disaster, and personal health issues.
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Email an expert with your legal, finance, stress, or crisis/disaster questions.
All calls, chats, and emails are free and confidential, and language interpretation is available.
For more information, click on the link below to visit the Iowa Concern website.
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Covid-19: Agency Operations Information
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Operations for these agencies continue as noted below.
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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.
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