Paternity Opportunity Program (POP)

The Paternity Opportunity Program (POP) requires that, effective January 1, 1995, all hospitals and clinics with state-licensed birthing services provide all unmarried parents with an opportunity to voluntarily acknowledge paternity following their child’s birth. Effective January 1, 1997, an unmarried father must sign a "Declaration of Paternity" (CS 909) to have his name entered on the child’s birth certificate. Hospital staff provide the CS 909 form prior to the mother/baby being discharged from the hospital. If fathers later decide to sign the CS 909, they may sign it at:

The DCSS, or
The County Vital Statistics Office, or
A Notary Public, or
The SSA, if the unmarried parents are living together and are applying for or receiving CalWORKs or Medi-Cal benefits.

Informing Requirement

Before the parent(s) decide to sign a "Declaration of Paternity" (CS 909), they must be informed of their legal rights and responsibilities, both orally and in writing. The coversheet of the CS 909 may be used to explain legal rights and responsibilities to the clients. After reviewing the CS 909 with the clients, confirm that they understand the rights and responsibilities.

"Declaration of Paternity" (CS 909)

A completed "Declaration of Paternity" (CS 909) is used to legally establish the paternity of a child when the mother and father are NOT married to each other. The CS 909 MUST have both parents' signatures properly witnessed and filed with the State DCSS before it can legally establish paternity. The CS 909 must be completed in black or blue ink (pencils or other colored inks do not scan and are unacceptable). A separate CS 909 is required for each child. EWs are mandated by the State DCSS to "witness" the parents' signatures at no cost to the parents. EWs will need to complete Section C of the CS 909. The EW's full name and signature as well as the name and address of the SSA office must be included.

The CS 909 has a lavender informational cover sheet.

The first page of the coversheet is headed "Important Notice to Unmarried Parents" and contains an explanation of the purpose of the form and what it means when the parents sign it.
The second page of the coversheet contains instructions for completing and distributing the form.

The original (white copy) of the CS 909 is sent to the State DCSS - POP Unit. The yellow and pink copies are given to the parents, one for the mother and one for the father. The green copy is sent to DCSS. A copy of the CS 909 must be imaged to CalSAWS.

Note: If only one parent is in the office and that parent volunteers to complete the CS 909, it may be taken home for the signatures to be witnessed by a Notary Public, or both parents may return and sign the form in the presence of the EW.

After the CS 909 has been completed, the EW must review it for thoroughness and accuracy. Ensure the signatures of the parents were properly witnessed. The EW must send the original CS 909 within 20 days of the date it was signed to:

DCSS - POP Unit (579)
P.O. Box 419070
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9070

Important: Be sure to include our Agency Code (579) on the mailing label.

"Rescission Form for the Declaration of Paternity" (CS 915)

Either parent can change their mind about the child’s parentage and cancel the declaration within 60 days of signing CS 909 by completing "Rescission Form for the Declaration of Paternity" (CS 915). The parent wishing to cancel the declaration must contact DCSS directly.

"Judicial Set Aside" (FCS 7575)

Once paternity has been established by CS 909 and the 60-day rescission period has expired, either parent may cancel the legal father-child relationship by filing a court action to set aside the Declaration of Paternity within two years of the child’s birth. For more information on filing a set aside, the parent should contact DCSS.

Minor Parents

If either of the parents is a minor (under the age of 18), CS 909 does not establish paternity until 60 days after:

Both minor parents are emancipated, or
The eighteenth (18th) birthday of both minors, whichever occurs first.

Client Communication with DCSS

If the client wishes to contact DCSS after the interviews are complete and there is new information about the absent parent, the client must be told to call the DCSS directly. DCSS will accept any new information about the absent parent by telephone. If the client needs information on the current status of the child support case, that individual may call DCSS and receive information from a representative. As a general rule, Child Support Officers (CSOs) do not take telephone calls.

DCSS information for clients is as follows:

Santa Clara County Department of Child Support Services
880 Ridder Park Drive
San Jose, CA 95131
Toll Free #: (866) 901-3212
TTY #: (866) 399-4096
DCSS Website

Customer Connect

Customer Connect is California’s online child support self-service information system. This self-service website can be used by clients to obtain general information and specific DCSS account information and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To access Customer Connect, the client must use the PIN issued to them by mail from DCSS.

Customer Connect Website
Toll Free #: (866) 901-3212
TTY #: (866) 399-4096

State Disbursement Unit

The SDU information is as follows:

State Disbursement Unit
P. O. Box 989067
West Sacramento, CA 95798
Toll Free #: (866) 901-3212
SDU Website

"Social Services Agency (SSA)/Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) Communication Form" (SCD 1603)

The "Social Services Agency (SSA)/Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) Communication Form" (SCD 1603) is used to communicate information between the EW and DCSS Child Support Officer.

Either agency may use this form to provide information.
When EWs complete the SCD 1603, it is important that the Child Support case number be entered on the form.
- The Child Support case number can be found on the Absent Parents page listed as the "Participant ID #/CSE #.”
The form should be sent via county pony service to the DCSS at 880 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95131.

DCSS Notice to Recipients

As a result of the Barnes court order, DCSS must provide a monthly statement to recipients who have active DCSS cases. This statement shows:

The total amount of support paid in the last month by the absent parent.
The amounts applied to current support and to arrears.
The amounts sent to the recipient in the form of disregards.

If the client contacts the EW with any questions about this statement, refer the client directly to DCSS.