Voluntary Declaration Of Paternity: When both unmarried parents sign a Declaration of Paternity, it means they are the legal parents of the child. Signing a Declaration of Paternity is voluntary.

The parents can sign a declaration at the hospital or can get forms at their county's Health Department or the Missouri Department of Vital Statistics.

If the parents sign at the hospital, the father's name will go on the child's birth certificate, and the mother does not need to go to court to prove who the father of the child is.

If they sign the declaration after the child's birth certificate has been issued, a new birth certificate can be issued with the father's name.

Having paternity established does not automatically guarantee that you will have rights of custody or visitation. To obtain those rights you must still go through the court process outlined at 210.826 RSMo statute