The Virginia Birth Father Registry (VBFR), formerly known as the Virginia Putative Father Registry, is a confidential database maintained by the Virginia Department of Social Services that protects the rights of unmarried men (and their relatives) to children they may have (un)knowingly fathered. By voluntarily registering with VBFR within 10 days after child's birth, a putative father can protect his rights to his child(ren) and be notified in the event his child is placed for adoption or placed into foster care.
The VBFR does not establish paternity. Registration may be used to help establish paternity but does not start the legal process.
To register, complete the registration form and mail to the following address:
Virginia Department of Social Services
5600 Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
There is no fee to register. However, registration must be received by the Department of Social Services within 10 days of the child's birth. A putative father should register his name for each child he believes he has fathered. As such, individuals may register more than once.
The 2006 General Assembly passed into law Section 63.2-1249, which established the Putative Father Registry with the Virginia Department of Social Services. In 2017, the Virginia Putative Father Registry was renamed as the Virginia Birth Father Registry.
