Frequently Asked Questions

No. Registration is free. You may pay postage if mailing the form. 

Register in that state’s putative father registry and register with Virginia’s VBFR. 

Yes. You can register if you are under 18. Parental permission is not required. 

No. Citizenship is not required to register. Complete and submit the form. 

No. Registration does not establish paternity. Use the legal paternity process. 

VBFR is confidential. Only entities authorized by law (listed below) may access it. 

• The child’s mother 
• Attorneys in termination/adoption cases 
• Parties to an adoption 
• Child-placing agencies 
• Courts or court designees 
• Other states’ putative father registries 
• Support enforcement 
• Agencies authorized by law

Yes. If you are a putative father, you may register. 

Submit another registration form and check the withdrawal box. 

Register for each pregnancy or child you believe you fathered. If you had multiple relationships or timeframes, register for each and note the possible conception dates. 

The Virginia Paternity Establishment Program can help: 1-866-398-4841. 

Yes. Start with a home study in your state, then call 1-800-DO-ADOPT (1-800-362-3678) for guidance on next steps.