9 CAR § 2-1101. Overview

(a)(1) The Acknowledgment of Paternity Program provides a simple way for the biological parents of a child to establish paternity if they are not married at the time of the child’s birth. (2) The Office of Child Support Enforcement provides: (A) Written materials about paternity establishment to all public and private birthing hospitals in the state; (B) Forms necessary to voluntarily acknowledge paternity; and (C) Copies of a written description of the rights and responsibilities of acknowledging paternity. (3) The rights and responsibilities of acknowledging paternity are explained and due process is safeguarded. (4) The office must also: (A) Provide training, guidance, and written instructions regarding voluntary acknowledgment of paternity as necessary to operate the hospital-based program; and (B) Assess each birthing hospital’s program on an annual basis. (b) The Administrator of the Office of Child Support Enforcement and the hospital birthing center, certified nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife shall enter into cooperative agreements for compensation at a rate not to exceed twenty dollars ($20.00) for each valid acknowledgment of paternity (AOP) forwarded by the hospital, birthing center, certified nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife to the office. (c)(1) A valid AOP must contain the signatures of both parents, and a notary must authenticate the parents’ signatures. (2) For children born in Arkansas after April 10, 1995, an AOP, properly executed during the child’s minority, conclusively establishes the man as the father of the child, subject to modification pursuant to state law. (3) For children born prior to April 10, 1995, paternity must be established by court order. (d) Additionally, the opportunity to acknowledge paternity after parents leave the hospital is provided in all vital records departments, health departments, and all local child support offices located throughout the state.