What Is an Acknowledgment of Paternity?
An Affidavit of Acknowledgment of Paternity is a sworn statement in which a father freely and voluntarily recognizes a specific child as his own. It is also referred to as an affidavit of paternity or a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity (in Filipino, a sinumpaang salaysay of recognition).
Its most common use is to allow a child to carry the father's surname under Republic Act No. 9255 and its implementing rules. Recognition through a public document such as this affidavit also supports the child's right to support and successional rights from the father.
Because it is a sworn affidavit, it must be notarized — the father personally appears before a notary public and presents competent evidence of identity.
When Filipinos Need an Acknowledgment of Paternity
- Allowing the child to use the father's surname — the basis for an RA 9255 surname application
- Supporting civil registry / PSA records — late registration or annotation of the birth record
- Establishing the child's right to support from the father
- Supporting successional rights — recognition is a step toward inheritance claims
- School, passport, and benefit applications that require proof of the father–child relationship
Required Facts in an Acknowledgment of Paternity
- The father's identity — full name, civil status, citizenship, and address
- The child's details — full name, date of birth, and place of birth
- The mother's name — identifying the child's mother
- Express, voluntary recognition — a clear statement that the affiant acknowledges the child as his own
- RA 9255 surname statement (where applicable) — that the child may use the father's surname
- Purpose — why the affidavit is being executed
- Jurat — subscribed and sworn before a notary public
Free Acknowledgment of Paternity Template
I, Juan Dela Cruz, single, Filipino, of legal age, and a resident of 123 Mabuhay Street, Barangay San Antonio, Quezon City, after being duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that:
1. That I am the biological father of my daughter, Maria Clara Santos, who was born on March 10, 2024 at Quezon City;
2. That the mother of the said child is Ana Santos;
3. That I freely, voluntarily, and expressly recognize and acknowledge the said child as my own child;
4. That I am executing this affidavit to expressly acknowledge my paternity and to allow the said child to use my surname, Dela Cruz, in accordance with Republic Act No. 9255 and its implementing rules;
5. That the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my own personal knowledge and belief.
I am executing this affidavit for the purpose of acknowledging my paternity of the said child, and for whatever legal purpose it may serve.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this January 15, 2026 at Quezon City, Philippines.
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this January 15, 2026 at Quezon City, Philippines, by the above-named affiant, Affiant exhibited to me his/her Driver's License bearing No. N01-23-456789 issued on May 10, 2023 at Quezon City.
PTR No.
IBP No.
Roll No.
MCLE Compliance No.
Generate This Document Online
Unlock this document for 30 days in Legalia — guided fields, the correct legal format, PDF export, and AI-assisted drafting.
Unlock & Generate — ₱199 or get All-Access — ₱999/30 daysHow to Draft an Acknowledgment of Paternity
- Confirm biological paternity. Only acknowledge a child who is genuinely yours — a false affidavit is perjury.
- Get the child's exact details. Use the full name, date of birth, and place of birth as they appear on the birth record.
- State the recognition expressly. The language must clearly and voluntarily recognize the child as your own.
- Add the RA 9255 surname clause if the goal is to allow the child to use your surname.
- Have it notarized. Appear before a notary public with a government-issued ID.
- File the right PSA form. For an actual change of surname, the civil registry may also require the prescribed Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father (AUSF).
Acknowledgment of Paternity vs. AUSF
These two are often confused. The Acknowledgment of Paternity is the father's sworn recognition that the child is his. The Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father (AUSF) is the separate PSA-prescribed form used to actually record the child's use of the father's surname under RA 9255. The acknowledgment is frequently the supporting basis for an AUSF application, but the civil registry may still require its own AUSF form — check with your Local Civil Registry Office.