How to Get a Copy of a Declaration of Paternity in California

To get a copy of a Declaration of Paternity in California, complete Form DCSS 0918 and send it with a copy of your government-issued photo ID to the Parentage Opportunity Program at the California Department of Child Support Services. There’s no fee, and most requests are processed in two to five business days. The form is called the Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VDOP), and only a parent named on the declaration or the child (once 18) can request a certified copy.1California Department of Child Support Services. Request for a Certified Copy of a Filed Voluntary Declaration of Parentage

Make Sure You Have a VDOP, Not a Court Judgment

California recognizes two ways to establish legal parentage, and the records live in different places.

A Voluntary Declaration of Parentage is the state form both parents sign, usually at the hospital shortly after the child’s birth. These are held by the Parentage Opportunity Program (POP) within the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS).2California Department of Child Support Services. Parentage Opportunity Program – Certified Copies If that describes your situation, the steps below apply.

A Judgment of Paternity is different. It comes out of a family law case in Superior Court, and only the court that heard the case can produce a copy. If your parentage was established that way, skip to the court section further down.

Who Can Request a Copy

Certified copies of a VDOP are limited to a parent named on the declaration or the child, once the child turns 18.1California Department of Child Support Services. Request for a Certified Copy of a Filed Voluntary Declaration of Parentage Grandparents, stepparents, and attorneys cannot request copies on their own behalf.

What You Need to Submit

  • Form DCSS 0918, the “Request for a Certified Copy of a Filed Voluntary Declaration of Parentage,” available on the DCSS Parentage Opportunity Program website.
  • The child’s full name and date of birth.
  • Both parents’ full names, exactly as they appear on the original VDOP.
  • A legible copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.

You can request up to nine certified copies on a single form, and DCSS does not charge a fee.2California Department of Child Support Services. Parentage Opportunity Program – Certified Copies Names that don’t match the original declaration are the most common reason requests get delayed, so verify spelling before you send anything.

Where to Send the Request

DCSS accepts requests two ways. Walk-ins aren’t allowed.2California Department of Child Support Services. Parentage Opportunity Program – Certified Copies

  • Email your completed DCSS 0918 and a photo of your ID to askpop@dcss.ca.gov.
  • Mail your completed form and ID copy to: California Department of Child Support Services, Parentage Opportunity Program, P.O. Box 419070, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9070.

How Long It Takes

Most requests are processed within two to five business days, and DCSS mails the certified copy through USPS to the address you write on the form.2California Department of Child Support Services. Parentage Opportunity Program – Certified Copies Build in mail transit time on top of that if you need the copy by a specific deadline.

If Your Parentage Came From a Court Case

A Judgment of Paternity issued by a Superior Court is not held by DCSS. Contact the clerk’s office in the county where the case was filed. Having the case number and the year the judgment was entered will speed the search; without a case number, the clerk can search by party name, but it takes longer and may add fees. Some counties offer online case lookup that can help you find the number before you contact the clerk.3Superior Court of California – County of San Diego. Accessing Court Records

Court copies are not free. California’s statewide fees are $0.50 per page for uncertified copies,4Superior Court of California, County of Orange. Family Law Records and Copies $40 per document for certification on top of the per-page charge,5California Legislative Information. California Government Code 70626 and $15 if the clerk needs more than ten minutes to find the record.6California Legislative Information. California Government Code 70627 A single certified copy of a multi-page judgment typically runs $45 to $50. If you only need the document for your own reference, an uncertified copy skips the $40 certification fee.

A Note If You Actually Want to Cancel, Not Copy

Some people start looking for a copy of a VDOP because they’re thinking about undoing it. Either signing parent can rescind, but the rescission has to be postmarked within 60 calendar days of the date the last parent signed.7California Department of Child Support Services. California Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VDOP) – Rescission That uses Form DCSS 0915 and a different procedure than a copy request. After 60 days, the declaration can only be challenged in Superior Court, within two years of its effective date, on grounds of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact.8California Legislative Information. California Family Code 7576 Rescinding a VDOP also does not remove a parent’s name from the birth certificate on its own; that takes a separate court order and an amendment through the Department of Public Health, Vital Records.