Voluntary Paternity Affidavit Program

What is the Voluntary Paternity Affidavit (VPA)?

The voluntary paternity affidavit is a free form for unmarried biological parents to establish a legal father for their child. 

The VPA can be completed in the hospital at the time of the child’s birth, or any time after the child is born. There is no age limit for establishing paternity with the VPA. 

To learn more, watch the video below. To view the video in Spanish, click here.

What is the VPA Program?

The Voluntary Paternity Affidavit Program provides information, resources, and training to help Iowa families, hospitals and clinics, and community organizations understand the importance of establishing paternity, and learn how to complete the VPA process.

Want to learn more?

• Information for Parents

• Information for Hospital, Clinic, and Community Organization staff

• Frequently Asked Questions

• View and download resource materials

VPA Program Partners:

For specific questions about the voluntary paternity affidavit, call the Bureau of Health Statistics at (515) 281-6687.

The Child Welfare Research & Training Project (CWRTP) provides oversight of the Paternity Affidavit Training Program for the State of Iowa.

The VPA Program is funded through a partnership between Iowa State University and Iowa Child Support.