RICHMOND, VA (August 5, 2025) - Marking a significant milestone in family engagement and support, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), in collaboration with the Virginia Paternity Establishment Program, proudly recognizes ten local hospitals for achieving the highest paternity establishment rates in 2024. These hospitals continue to set industry standards by recording paternity establishment rates greater than 78%.

Virginia’s paternity establishment rate has seen sustained upward momentum, with the 78% statewide rate reflecting a 1 percentage point increase from 2023 and more than a 4 percentage point increase from 2020’s rate of 73.64%. Driven by a collective effort from birthing hospitals throughout the Commonwealth, this rate has improved each year since 2020, representing consistent, steady growth. This upward trajectory is a meaningful achievement for Virginia’s families — each increase in the paternity establishment rate expands access to critical resources, strengthens emotional bonds, and lays the foundation for more secure, supportive homes where children can thrive. 

“We greatly appreciate Virginia’s hospitals with birthing facilities and their commitment to establishing paternity for children in the Commonwealth,” said VDSS Deputy Commissioner of State Programs Craig Burshem. “Our partnership with these hospitals is an invaluable tool in helping children reap the benefits of having their parents share the responsibility of providing the emotional, physical, and financial support they need to grow and thrive.” 

In 2024, Twin County Regional Hospital in Galax, Virginia achieved the highest paternity establishment rate, reaching an impressive 86.60%. This outstanding performance well exceeds the state-mandated target of 80%.  

2024 Voluntary Paternity Establishment Rates 

(as reported by the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records)

The Virginia Paternity Establishment Program plays a vital role in establishing paternity by offering parents the opportunity to acknowledge fatherhood at the time of birth. The program, sponsored by VDSS’s Division of Child Support Enforcement and operated by Veritas-HHS, also assists parents in adding the father to the birth certificate if they establish paternity at a later time.   

The Commonwealth is served by 51 birthing hospitals across the state, each dedicated to supporting and promoting the establishment of paternity.  

For more information on the benefits of establishing paternity or to start the process in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services. To find out more information about the Virginia Paternity Establishment Program, visit vapaternity.com or contact Yesenia Peiker, project manager, at (732) 749-0581. 

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About the Virginia Department of Social Services  

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), one of the Commonwealth’s largest government agencies, is comprised of approximately 2,000 state staff who proudly serve alongside more than 10,000 employees of 120 local departments of social services and community action agencies to deliver critical social services to Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens. VDSS is committed to ensuring Virginians have access to the high-quality human services and resources needed to enhance their individual and collective well-being, and shape strong futures for themselves, their families and communities. The agency provides a wide range of services and resources in the areas of food and energy assistance, foster care and adoption, child support, and abuse and neglect prevention, among others. For more information, visit dss.virginia.gov.