PATERNITY ACKNOWLEDGMENT AGREEMENT

(Voluntary Declaration of Parentage – California)

[// GUIDANCE: This template is intended for voluntary parentage acknowledgments under California law. Customize bracketed terms, remove guidance comments, and obtain independent legal review prior to use.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Operative Provisions
   3.1 Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity
   3.2 Genetic Testing Provisions
   3.3 Child Support & Financial Responsibilities
   3.4 Custody, Visitation & Parenting Decision-Making
4. Representations & Warranties
5. Covenants & Restrictions
6. Default & Remedies
7. Risk Allocation
8. Dispute Resolution
9. General Provisions
10. Execution Block

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

Paternity Acknowledgment Agreement (the “Agreement”) made and entered into as of [EFFECTIVE DATE] (the “Effective Date”) by and among:

a. [MOTHER LEGAL NAME], an individual residing at [ADDRESS] (“Mother”);
b. [FATHER LEGAL NAME], an individual residing at [ADDRESS] (“Father”); and
c. [CHILD LEGAL NAME], born [DOB] in [CITY/COUNTY], California (the “Child”).

Collectively, Mother and Father are referred to herein as the “Parties.”

Recitals

A. Pursuant to California Family Code § 7570 et seq., the State of California encourages the voluntary establishment of parent-child relationships.
B. Mother and Father desire voluntarily to acknowledge Father’s paternity of the Child and to set forth their respective rights and obligations in accordance with California law and the best interests of the Child.
C. The Parties intend this Agreement to constitute a binding voluntary declaration of parentage and to be filed, where applicable, with the California Department of Child Support Services (“DCSS”) and the Superior Court of California, County of [COUNTY] (the “Court”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein, the Parties agree as follows:

2. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:

“Agreement” – this Paternity Acknowledgment Agreement, including all exhibits, schedules, and duly executed amendments.

“Court” – the Superior Court of California, County of [COUNTY], Family Law Division, or such other California court of competent jurisdiction.

“DCSS” – the California Department of Child Support Services.

“Guideline Support” – child support calculated under the California Statewide Uniform Guideline (Cal. Fam. Code § 4050 et seq.).

“Parentage” – the legal status of a natural parent as recognized under California’s Uniform Parentage Act.

“Party” or “Parties” – individually Mother or Father, or collectively Mother and Father.

“VDOP” – Voluntary Declaration of Parentage under Cal. Fam. Code § 7570 et seq.

3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity

3.1.1 Acknowledgment. Father hereby voluntarily and irrevocably acknowledges that he is the natural and legal parent of the Child. Mother concurs in and accepts such acknowledgment.

3.1.2 Filing. Within five (5) court days after execution, the Parties shall execute the statutory VDOP form (currently DCSS Form 09-45) and file the same with DCSS. Filing may be accomplished at the hospital of birth, through a local child support agency, or by mailing to DCSS, as permitted.

3.1.3 Legal Effect. Upon DCSS filing, the VDOP shall have the same force and effect as a judgment of paternity entered by the Court.

[// GUIDANCE: In California, the VDOP automatically establishes parentage without court action once properly filed. Nevertheless, practitioners often incorporate a contract memorializing attendant duties (support, custody, etc.) for clarity.]

3.2 Genetic Testing Provisions

3.2.1 Voluntary Waiver. Each Party represents that genetic testing has been [performed / waived]. If waived, the Parties acknowledge their right under Cal. Fam. Code § 7575(b) to rescind within 60 days of signing the VDOP but voluntarily waive such right, subject to court approval.

3.2.2 Contested Parentage. Should a third party contest Parentage within the statutory period, the Parties agree to submit to court-ordered genetic testing consistent with Cal. Fam. Code § 7551.

3.2.3 Cost Allocation. Unless ordered otherwise, the Party requesting genetic testing shall bear the initial cost; the Court may reallocate costs upon final determination of Parentage.

3.3 Child Support & Financial Responsibilities

3.3.1 Guideline Application. The Parties acknowledge that the Court retains exclusive jurisdiction to establish, modify, or enforce child support pursuant to Guideline Support. Nothing herein may limit the Child’s right to Guideline Support.

3.3.2 Interim Support. Pending any Court order, Father shall pay Mother [AMOUNT] per month commencing [DATE], subject to retroactive modification to conform with Guideline Support.

3.3.3 Medical Support. Father shall enroll the Child in [INSURANCE PLAN] and pay [PERCENTAGE]% of non-covered medical, dental, vision, and mental-health costs.

3.3.4 Child-Related Expenses. The Parties shall share the following expenses pro rata based on gross incomes:
a. Work-related childcare;
b. Extracurricular activities not exceeding [AMOUNT] annually without mutual written consent;
c. Educational expenses for public/private schooling as ordered by the Court.

3.3.5 Tax Dependency. Unless modified by subsequent written agreement or court order, the Parties agree that the Child shall be claimed as a dependent for federal and state income tax purposes by [FATHER / MOTHER / ALTERNATING YEARS].

[// GUIDANCE: California law prohibits contractual waiver of child support. Any term herein is subject to Court approval and statutory override.]

3.4 Custody, Visitation & Parenting Decision-Making

3.4.1 Temporary Arrangement. The Parties adopt the Parenting Plan attached as Exhibit A, which shall remain in effect unless and until the Court issues a superseding order.

3.4.2 Best Interests Standard. All custodial decisions shall be governed by the Child’s best interests (Cal. Fam. Code § 3011).

3.4.3 Modification. Either Party may petition the Court for modification based on a material change in circumstances.

4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

4.1 Capacity. Each Party has full legal capacity and no impairment that would affect the validity of this Agreement.

4.2 No Prior Determination. No prior court order has established Father’s parentage of the Child.

4.3 Voluntariness. Execution is voluntary, free of duress, coercion, or undue influence.

4.4 Accuracy of Information. All information supplied is true, complete, and accurate to the best of each Party’s knowledge.

4.5 Survival. The representations and warranties in this Section survive execution and remain in effect until expressly superseded by a court order.

5. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS

5.1 Cooperation. The Parties shall cooperate in good faith to effectuate the intent of this Agreement, including execution of all required forms and attendance at any Court hearings.

5.2 Non-Disparagement. Neither Party shall disparage the other in the presence of the Child or third parties likely to communicate with the Child.

5.3 Relocation Notice. A relocating Party shall provide at least sixty (60) days’ advance written notice of any move exceeding fifty (50) miles from [CURRENT CITY].

6. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

6.1 Events of Default. The following constitute default:
a. Failure to pay any child support amount when due;
b. Failure to comply with custodial exchanges;
c. Failure to maintain required insurance.

6.2 Notice & Cure. A non-defaulting Party shall provide written notice specifying the default. The defaulting Party has ten (10) calendar days to cure monetary defaults and thirty (30) calendar days to cure non-monetary defaults, unless an emergency endangers the Child.

6.3 Remedies. If uncured, the non-defaulting Party may seek any combination of:
a. Court enforcement through contempt proceedings;
b. Wage assignment or interception of tax refunds;
c. Reimbursement of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in enforcement.

6.4 Attorney Fees. The Court may award fees per Cal. Fam. Code § 2030 et seq. based on relative need and ability to pay.

7. RISK ALLOCATION

7.1 Indemnification. [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED—Not applicable per metadata.]

7.2 Limitation of Liability. Nothing in this Agreement limits a Party’s statutory obligation to pay Guideline Support or the Child’s right thereto. Contractual remedies are cumulative and not exclusive of statutory remedies.

7.3 Force Majeure. A Party’s non-performance (other than payment of child support) is excused to the extent caused by acts of God, war, pandemic, governmental orders, or other events beyond reasonable control, provided the affected Party gives prompt notice and resumes performance as soon as practicable.

8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California, including its choice-of-law principles.

8.2 Forum Selection. Exclusive jurisdiction and venue lie in the Superior Court of California, County of [COUNTY], Family Law Division.

8.3 Arbitration. Arbitration is unavailable for parentage or support matters per metadata and public policy; the Court retains jurisdiction over all disputes.

8.4 Jury Waiver. Family law matters in California are tried without a jury.

8.5 Injunctive Relief. Either Party may petition the Court for injunctive relief necessary to protect the Child’s welfare or enforce support.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Amendments & Waivers. No amendment or waiver is effective unless in a writing signed by both Parties and, where required, approved by the Court.

9.2 Assignment. Neither Party may assign or delegate rights or duties hereunder without court approval.

9.3 Successors & Assigns. This Agreement binds and benefits the Parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, and permitted assigns.

9.4 Severability. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force, and the invalid provision shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to comply with law.

9.5 Integration. This Agreement, the VDOP form, and any exhibits or court orders constitute the entire understanding among the Parties on the subject matter and supersede all prior negotiations.

9.6 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each deemed an original, and delivered via electronic means, which shall be as effective as a wet-ink signature.

9.7 Headings. Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

10. EXECUTION BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first written above.

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

State of California )
County of [COUNTY] )

On [DATE], before me, [NOTARY NAME], Notary Public, personally appeared [MOTHER NAME] and [FATHER NAME], who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individuals whose names are subscribed to this instrument and acknowledged executing the same.

Witness my hand and official seal.

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: _____

[// GUIDANCE: Attachments]

• Exhibit A – Parenting Plan
• DCSS Form 09-45 – Voluntary Declaration of Parentage
• Schedule 1 – Child Support Income & Expense Worksheet (optional)