Are VS-465 Affidavits Needed?

 

PROCEDURE:

VS-465 series forms are used to add a father’s name to a child’s birth certificate. These forms are legal documents, to be presented in court, therefore must be completed fully and carefully and reviewed thoroughly with the parent. Original documents are required – do not print or photocopy.

VS-465 forms are required if all of the following apply:
A CS-201 or Referral/Information for Child Support Services is being completed
The child was born in the State of Missouri
The father’s name is not shown on the birth certificate
The mother alleges that there is only one man who could be the father of the child
The mother was not married to anyone other than the man she alleges is the father of the child
There is no existing court order of support for the child

 

Guidelines for completion of VS-465 forms:

  • Provide IM/CS-2PV Voluntary Paternity Establishment Handout to explain the process and importance of paternity establishment.
  • Each parent must receive form VS-465 Written Notice of Alternatives, along with a form for completion.
  • Complete original VS-465 forms for each child. Photocopied or locally printed forms may not be used.
  • VS-465F Father’s Acknowledgment of Paternity is completed by the father to acknowledge paternity.
  • VS-465M Mother’s Acknowledgment of Paternity is completed by the mother to declare paternity.
  • VS-465D Husband’s Denial of Paternity is completed by a husband to declare he is not the biological father.
  • VS-465 forms must be filled in completely in black ink, using both upper and lower case letters.
  • The current version of the VS-465 forms are always required (check the form revision date).
  • No mistakes, erasures, white-out or crossouts are permitted.
  • Applicant must sign before a Notary Public or two witnesses. Witnesses may not be relatives of either parent.
  • Improperly completed forms cannot be accepted, and will be returned.
  • Since VS-465 forms must be witnessed or notarized, do not mail them to the customer for completion.
  • Detailed VS-465 instructions (downloadable document)

 

A self-alleged father applying for a child(ren) whose mother is not in the home must complete VS-465F Father’s Acknowledgment of Paternity for each child. The eligibility specialist must attempt to contact the mother to complete VS-465M Mother’s Acknowledgment of Paternity. If both the VS-465F and VS-465M are completed, submit them together with the VS-465 Written Notice of Alternatives to the Bureau of Vital Records.

 

For single parent households where only one parent completed a VS-465 form, or when there is an active child support case, forward the VS-465 forms to FSD Child Support with the CS-201. If a parent refuses to sign the VS-465, refer to procedures for exploring good cause and sanctioning.

 

If both parents are in the home, the child was born in Missouri, and the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate, both parents must complete VS-465 form series. If they refuse to do so, entering CS (client statement) verification for relationships causes the application for the in-common child(ren) to PEND, and eventually be rejected or closed. The completed VS-465F and VS-465M (and VS-465D when appropriate) must be sent to the Bureau of Vital Records (BVR) together. No copy filed in case record.