Recognition of Parentage (ROP)

The Minnesota Voluntary Recognition of Parentage (PDF) form allows a biological father to establish paternity when he is not married to the mother. There is no fee to file an ROP with the Office of Vital Records. Same-sex couples cannot use an ROP to establish parentage.

The ROP:

• may be completed at the hospital at the time of the child’s birth, or be filled out later
• must show the child’s name and the mother’s name as they appear on the birth record
• must be signed and dated by both parents in front of a notary public
• must be free of corrections and cross outs to avoid rejection
• must be filed with the Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health to be considered valid

To request a copy of the ROP (which will be necessary for all custody cases)

• Client should complete this document —-.certrop.pdf (state.mn.us)
• If they are paying with a credit card, they can complete the form in its entirety and send it to us and we can fax for them.
• If they are paying with a check, then they should mail it themselves to:
  • Minnesota Department of Health Recognition of Parentage Program Office of the State Registrar P.O. Box 64499 St. Paul, MN 55164-0499
• General website for information or to share with client: Birth Records and Paternity – MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)

What if someone is unsure if they signed an ROP or it was filed?

Suggest they call the Office of Vital Records at 651-201-5970 or email at health.vitalrecords@state.mn.us and inquire as to whether there is a ROP on file.

Filing the ROP with Court

Redact the social security numbers and file as “Recognition of Parentage”