Illinois Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) is a process by which a father can legally acknowledge paternity of a child, even if he is not married to the mother. This process is available to all unmarried parents in Illinois and is used to establish the legal relationship between father and child. There are two types of Illinois VAP: In-Hospital VAP and Stand-Alone VAP. In-Hospital VAP is available to unmarried parents at the time of the child's birth and is typically completed at the hospital. Stand-Alone VAP is available to unmarried parents after the birth of the child and is typically completed at the Vital Records Office. Both types of VAP require the father and mother to provide identifying information, sign the form in the presence of two witnesses, and have the form notarized. Once the form is completed and filed with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the father is legally recognized as the child’s parent.