If the biological parents are not married, and both are available to sign forms and there is a man listed on the birth record to whom the mother was not married to at the time of birth, a certified copy of a court order of paternity, Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request form, copy of a photo ID and a fee are required. Contact your local court system for further details.

If the biological parents were married before the child was born, the Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request form, a certified copy of the marriage record, copy of a photo ID, and fee are required. The affidavit must be completed by both biological parents. If either parent is not available to sign the affidavit, please contact this office and you will be advised on how to proceed.

If the biological parents married after the child was born, a legitimation process must be completed.

Court Ordered Paternity

If a court has determined who the biological father of a child is, submit the Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request form and a certified copy of the court order of paternity. You can obtain a certified copy from the circuit clerk's office. Please be aware that the court order cannot be returned; it becomes part of a sealed file.

You also will need to include the following:

• the father's full name
• the father's date of birth
• the father's place of birth (state or country if other than the United States)
• the father's Social Security number
• the mother's Social Security number
• the required fee of $15, which includes one certified copy of the birth record (Additional copies ordered at the same time, for the same person, are $2 each.) and
• a copy of the non-expired government issued photo IDs of both mother and father.

This office cannot accept a copy of DNA results as proof of paternity.

Please note: Current processing time on mailed requests for legitimations and paternities, that contain the appropriate fee and ID is between 5 to 6 weeks from the date the request is received.

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgely Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

Because of the different factors involved, please contact us at dph.vitals@illinois.gov or in writing to:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgely Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

No, the child's surname is not automatically changed. If the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form is used a separate request is required. If the legitimation forms are used, again there is a space on the form to change the name. If the parents obtain an administrative or judicial paternity order, the parents will need a separate written request signed by both parents asking that the child's name be changed. If the parents obtain a court order that indicates a name change, then the parents do not need to also sign a written request for the name change. The parent's written request or court order must show how the child's name is to appear on the new birth record.

A certified copy of the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form can be obtained by calling 800-447-4278 for a certified copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

LINKS

Vital Records Act
Illinois Vital Records Code (rules)
County Vital Records Web Sites or County Clerk Addresses