Paternity Opportunity Program (POP)

The Paternity Opportunity Program (POP), implemented January 1, 1995, provides unwed mothers and fathers the opportunity to voluntarily establish paternity of their children. The DCSS works in partnership with each of Sonoma County's hospitals and birthing centers to provide this method for unwed parents to establish paternity at the birth of their child. It is a simple process of filling out a Paternity Opportunity Declaration, which is signed by both parents. The Paternity Opportunity Program is available in hospitals, clinics, and in the DCSS office. This program gives children born to unmarried parents the same legal rights as those born within a marriage. Since 1995, more than 6000 Sonoma County fathers voluntarily acknowledged paternity at the birth of their child through the POP program.

< Back to Programs and Services Main Page