Requests for Comments on Required Data Elements for Paternity Establishment Affidavits

DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER

DCL-13-13

DATE: August 13, 2013

TO: ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS

RE:  Requests for Comments on Required Data Elements for Paternity Establishment Affidavits

Dear Colleague:

Section 452(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (Act) requires the Department of Health and Human Services to specify the minimum requirements of an affidavit to be used for the voluntary acknowledgment of paternity.  In addition, Section 466(a)(5)(C)(iv) of the Act requires states to enact laws requiring the development and use of an affidavit for the voluntary acknowledgment of paternity.  The list of required and optional data elements appear in OCSE-AT-98-02.

In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting public comment on whether the information collections should continue.  As of August 7, 2013, a notice for public comment  (PDF) has been posted to the Federal Register in Volume 78, Number 152 on page 48171.

We request that during the 60-day comment period you review the current information collections.  Please provide your comments and suggestions to OCSE.DPT@acf.hhs.gov within the 60-day period that ends October 6, 2013.  We will review the comments, take them under consideration, and submit the revisions to the Office of Management and Budget.

Sincerely,

Vicki Turetsky
Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement

cc: ACF/OCSE Regional Program Managers
     Tribal IV-D Directors