Whenever in any legal proceedings a man voluntarily testifies under oath or affirmation that he is the father of a child whose parents are not married, or are not married to each other, the court may require that he complete an acknowledgment of paternity on a form provided by the Department of Social Services. This acknowledgment shall be sent by the clerk of the court within thirty days of completion to the Department of Social Services.
In any proceeding under this chapter, the petitioner may request a true copy of this form from the Department of Social Services and the Department shall remit such form to the court where the petition has been filed. Such true copy of an acknowledgment of paternity shall then be admissible in any proceeding under this chapter.
1988, cc. 866, 878.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 3.1 - Proceedings to Determine Parentage
§ 20-49.1. How parent and child relationship established
§ 20-49.2. Commencement of action; parties; jurisdiction
§ 20-49.3. Admission of genetic tests
§ 20-49.4. Evidence relating to parentage
§ 20-49.5. Support of children of unwed parents by the father; testimony under oath