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Parentage Information


Information & Appointments

Call to learn more:

Call: (607) 547-3535

New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Acknowledgment of Parentage Form

Download, print, and complete the acknowledgment of parentage form:

Download & Print

Birth Certificate, Acknowledgement of Parentage, & Social Security Information

During your stay in the hospital after your baby is born, you will receive a five page birth certificate work booklet to fill in before going home.

First name, middle name, current last name and last name on mother's birth certificate, Social Security number, date of birth, highest level of education, city and state of birth, race, residence address and if different mailing address and employment.

First, middle and last name. A signed Social Security page. Check yes if you want baby's Social Security card mailed to you. Check no if you wish to apply on your own. A Social Security card can only be obtained through the hospital if baby has a first and last name. You can give your baby any name you want. This includes last name as well. Inappropriate names, numbers or symbols cannot be accepted. Numbers can be used if spelled out (example: "7" - seven) or a suffix 1st, 2nd, III.

His or her first name, middle name, current last name and last name on parent's birth certificate, Social Security number, date of birth, highest level of education, residence address, employment.

Acknowledgement of Parentage

If mother and father or second parent is legally married to each other:

  • Acknowledgement of parentage is not required

If mother and father are not married:

  • To have the father's or second parent's name on the birth certificate an acknowledgement of parentage must be signed in front of two witnesses not related to the mother or father (can be done with hospital staff)

What it Means to Sign Parentage:

  • They give up their right to a court hearing to determine parentage;
  • They may establish custody and visitation rights;
  • They may be required to give consent before the child can be placed for adoption;
  • The child’s right to inherit from both parents is established if the Acknowledgment of Parentage is filed
    with the registrar in the district where the birth certificate was filed; and
  • The child’s right to inherit from both parents may be established if the Acknowledgment of Parentage is
    filed only with the Putative Father Registry.

Completing the Acknowledgment of Parentage Form:

You May Not Sign Parentage if:

  • The birth parent of a child conceived naturally was married any time during the pregnancy or when the
    child was born;
  • The birth parent is unmarried and more than one person could be the other parent;
  • A court has entered a judgment or order determining parentage for the child;
  • A valid Acknowledgment of Paternity/Parentage has been signed for the child;
  • The child is the subject of a surrogacy agreement;
  • The child has not been born; or
  • There are already two parents on your child’s birth certificate.

For questions about birth certificates, Acknowledgement of Parentage, or DNA testing, please call (607) 547-3254.

Acknowledgment of Parentage FAQs

Learn more about what it means to establish parentage and other frequently asked questions (FAQs) from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).