(a) A voluntary acknowledgment and any related denial may be challenged only on the basis of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact by filing a verified petition under this Section within 2 years after the effective date of the voluntary acknowledgment or denial, as provided in Section 304 of this Act. Time during which the person challenging the voluntary acknowledgment or denial is under legal disability or duress or the ground for relief is fraudulently concealed shall be excluded in computing the period of 2 years.
     (b) The verified complaint, which shall be designated a petition, shall be filed in the county where a proceeding relating to the child was brought, such as a support proceeding or, if none exists, in the county where the child resides. Every signatory to the voluntary acknowledgment and any related denial must be made a party to a proceeding to challenge the voluntary acknowledgment or denial. The party challenging the voluntary acknowledgment or denial shall have the burden of proof. The burden of proof to challenge a voluntary acknowledgment is clear and convincing evidence.

Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 750 ILCS 46/309

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • State: when applied to different parts of the United States, may be construed to include the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" may be construed to include the said district and territories. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.14

     (c) For the purpose of a challenge to a voluntary acknowledgment or denial, a signatory submits to personal jurisdiction of this State by signing the voluntary acknowledgment and any related denial, effective upon the filing of the voluntary acknowledgment and any related denial with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, as provided in Section 12 of the Vital Records Act.
     (d) Except for good cause shown, during the pendency of a proceeding to challenge a voluntary acknowledgment or denial, the court may not suspend the legal responsibilities of a signatory arising from the voluntary acknowledgment, including the duty to pay child support.
     (e) At the conclusion of a proceeding to challenge a voluntary acknowledgment or denial, the court shall order the Department of Public Health to amend the birth record of the child, if appropriate. A copy of an order entered at the conclusion of a proceeding to challenge shall be provided to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.