What is a POP Declaration?

 

The Paternity Opportunity Program (POP) Declaration is a form used to administratively acknowledge parentage. The POP Declaration is completed by the parents of the child. This declaration of paternity form filed with the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) and establishes a parental relationship for the child and has the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court.

 

Note: Filing a Declaration of Paternity surrenders the right to establish paternity in court.

 

A Declaration of Paternity may also be signed by parents and witnessed by the following agencies:

 

  • Alameda County Department of Child Support Services
  • Alameda County Clerk-Recorder’s Vital Records Office
  • Alameda County Department of Social Services
  • Family Law Facilitator’s Office
  • Notary Public

 

Parents may contact the Alameda County Department of Child Support Service POP Coordinator to schedule an appointment to sign the Declaration of Paternity. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm. The POP coordinator can be reached via email at popmail@acgov.org.

 

Intact Families

If you are an intact family and you would like to establish paternity for your child(ren), you can schedule an appointment with our POP coordinator to sign the declaration by calling (866) 901-3212 or emailing popmail@acgov.org.