Establishing Paternity in Chicago (Voluntary Acknowledgment)
The VAP: The Simplest Way to Establish Paternity for Unmarried Parents
For unmarried parents in Chicago, the simplest and most common way to legally establish paternity is by signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP). This is a free, straightforward legal document that is typically offered to parents at the hospital immediately after the child's birth.
While this form is simple, its legal consequences are profound and permanent. A signed VAP has the exact same legal force as a court order.
Schylon Lane, founder of The Elite Law Group, provides critical legal counsel before you sign this document. She ensures her clients—both mothers and fathers—understand the lifelong rights they are securing and the responsibilities they are accepting.
How the VAP Process Works in Chicago Hospitals
When an unmarried couple has a child in a Chicago hospital, a hospital administrator will present them with the VAP form.
Both the mother and the man identifying as the father must sign the form.
By signing, the father acknowledges that he is the legal and biological father of the child.
This allows the father's name to be added to the child's birth certificate.
The form is then filed with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS).
Once filed, this man is legally the father, with all the rights and responsibilities that entails—including the responsibility to pay child support.
The Dangers: What You Need to Know Before You Sign
A VAP is a wonderful tool for parents who are 100% certain of paternity. However, it can be a devastating trap if there is any doubt at all.
When you sign a VAP, you are waiving your right to a DNA test.
If you sign the VAP and later discover you are not the biological father, it is extremely difficult to undo. You only have 60 days to file a "Rescission of Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity." After that 60-day window, you would have to prove in court that you were a victim of fraud or duress—a very high legal burden.
Why You Need Legal Advice
Attorney Schylon Lane consults with clients on both sides of the VAP:
For Mothers: She ensures the VAP is completed correctly so it is legally binding. This secures her client's ability to file for child support in Cook County without having to later fight to prove paternity.
For Fathers: She provides the crucial advice: If you have any doubt, do not sign the VAP. Instead, let her guide you through the process of getting a legal DNA test. It is far better to confirm paternity before accepting a lifelong financial obligation.
A simple form has permanent consequences. As a solo attorney, Schylon Lane provides the personal, one-on-one advice you need to make the right choice.