In conjunction with Virginia Division of Social Services and Division of Child Support Enforcement, The Virginia Paternity Establishment Program works closely with the birth registrars of each birthing hospital by providing training and education of our program. The program also provides education and outreach to parents and a variety of partners in the state of Virginia. Provides information on how to establish paternity if the parents are unmarried at the time of the child's birth. The biological father's name cannot appear on the birth certificate unless the parents complete the Acknowledgment of Paternity form. Hospitals are required to assist parents with completing the form at the time of birth at no cost as part of the child's birth registration. For further assistance, please telephone: 1.866.398.4841 or 804.285.5826 Unmarried parents can sign a form called the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) prior to discharge from the hospital. This is a no cost at the hospital. Unmarried parents are provided a simple and convenient method in Virginia to place the father's name on the child's birth certificate. Minors do not need parental permission to voluntarily establish paternity in the Commonwealth of Virginia. You do not need to be a US citizen to sign this form and your information is confidential. Signing an AOP form does not affect benefits such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or Medicaid. Paternity establishment and custody are two separate issues. Under most circumstances, when unmarried parents have a child the child lives with the mother and she maintains legal custody. Either parent may seek visitation rights through the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court system in the county in which the custodial parent resides. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, you may name your child anything you like regardless of your marital status. You will need a current proof of identification as the AOP form must be notarized to complete the process.