AOP Information - Voluntarily Establish Paternity

Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit

The Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) Affidavit is a legal form parents complete to add the biological father's name to the child's birth certificate. By signing the form, parents are establishing paternity for their child ─ giving the father legal rights to his child.

There are two types of AOP forms:

A 2-party AOP form for unmarried parents
A 3-party AOP form for married or recently divorced (within 300 days of the birth) parents where a third-party biological father is involved. The form requires the agreement of all parties involved ─ including the mother, the husband/ex-husband, and the biological father ─ along with a DNA-based paternity test that shows the identity of the biological father with at least 99.9% probability.

A video tutorial guide about paternity titled Paternity 101 - For Parents.

Parent Brochure

Where to complete an AOP

At the hospital at the time of your child’s birth

AOPs completed in the hospital at the time of birth are free and are the quickest way to establish paternity. Hospitals have staff onsite to assist with completing the form and to notarize each parent’s signature. Once the AOP is properly completed, the hospital submits the form to the Vital Records Registry along with the birth record. Vital records will mail a certified birth certificate to the address (mom’s) provided on the form.

+ Requirements to complete an AOP at the hospital

Picture ID
Parents information:

Full name
Social Security number (if you do not have one, write “None”)
Current address
Date of birth
Place of birth (city and state)
Employment and insurance information (write “None” if applicable)

Two witnesses for signing − generally provided by the hospital. Witnesses MUST sign in the presence of the notary.

Later, at the Central Vital Records, Child Support Enforcement (CSE), or by mail

AOPs that are completed after parents have left the hospital require special processing and a small fee to amend the child’s birth certificate. Parents can complete an AOP at the Central Vital Records office in New Orleans, a local child support office, or by mail. A 3-party AOP can only be completed at the Central Vital Records office in New Orleans or by mail.

A local child support office can assist unmarried parents with the AOP form and genetic testing. One parent will need to complete an application ($25.00 fee) for CSE services. CSE does not provide paternity-only services for applicants.

+ Important information to know before signing an AOP

If an AOP was completed for your child in the past and/or there is already a father listed on the child’s birth certificate – DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM.
The AOP may not be signed before your child is born.
The AOP can only be completed for a child born in Louisiana.
Parents should carefully review the Alternatives, Rights and Responsibilities on page 2. THIS PAGE MUST BE INTIALED BY BOTH PARENTS.
Make sure each item is completed on the form.
If you are completing a 3-party AOP, you must provide a certified DNA-based paternity test that demonstrates paternity with at least 99.9% probability.
To change the child’s last name, you must list the name as you want it to appear on the birth certificate in the Child’s Information Section of the form. Once the form is processed, the child’s last name on the birth certificate cannot be changed without a Louisiana court order.
This a legal form. Type or complete the form in black ink. Do not alter the form, use liquid paper, or make any scratch outs. If you make a mistake, start over with a new form.
The AOP can be mailed to a parent anywhere to be signed in the presence of a licensed notary.

Two types of AOPS

Your relationship with your partner at the time your child is born determines which AOP form you should use.

Child Born Outside of Marriage

Father holding baby with mother and paternity form

If you and your partner are not married

Parents who wish to establish paternity should use the following guidelines and 2-party AOP if the mother was not married at the time of birth or within 300 days of the birth.

+ Requirements to complete a 2-party AOP at Central Vital Records in New Orleans or by mail

Picture ID
Parents information:

Full name
Social Security number (if you do not have one, write “None”)
Current address
Date of birth
Place of birth (city and state)
Employment and insurance information (write “None” if applicable)

A legally licensed notary. Both parents must sign this form with two witnesses each in the presence of a licensed notary. DO NOT SIGN THIS FORM BEFORE YOU HAVE IT NOTARIZED. Show the notary your picture identification. The notary must write or stamp their State Notary ID Number under their signature.
Child’s birth certificate (must be certified)

Download 2-party AOP

Child Born of Marriage

Mother holding baby with husband and biological father present

If you are married, but…

Parents wishing to establish paternity should use the following guidelines and 3-party AOP if the mother was married to someone other than the biological father at the time of the child’s birth or if she had not been divorced at least 300 days prior to the child’s birth.

+ Requirements to complete a 3-party AOP at Central Vital Records in New Orleans or by mail

Picture ID
Parents information:

Full name
Social Security number (if you do not have one, write “None”)
Current address
Date of birth
Place of birth (city and state)
Employment and insurance information (write “None” if applicable)
Husband/ex-husband’s name (3-party AOP only)

A legally licensed notary. The mother, father, and husband/ex-husband must sign this form with two witnesses each in the presence of a licensed notary. DO NOT SIGN THIS FORM BEFORE YOU HAVE IT NOTARIZED. Show the notary your picture identification. The notary must write or stamp their State Notary ID Number under their signature.
Child’s birth certificate (must be certified)
A certified DNA-based paternity test that demonstrates paternity with at least 99.9% probability.