Revised Code of Washington Chapter 26.26A — Uniform Parentage Act

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Short title—2018 c 6

This act may be known and cited as the uniform parentage act.

Definitions

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Acknowledged parent" means an individual who has established a parent-child relationship under RCW 26.26A.200 through 26.26A.265.(2) "Adjudicated parent" means an individual who has been adjudicated to be a…

Scope

(1) This chapter applies to an adjudication or determination of parentage.(2) This chapter does not create, affect, enlarge, or diminish parental rights or duties under law of this state other than this chapter.

Authorized courts

The superior courts of this state may adjudicate parentage under this chapter.

Choice of law

The court shall apply the law of this state to adjudicate parentage. The applicable law does not depend on:(1) The place of birth of the child; or(2) The past or present residence of the child.

Data privacy

A proceeding under this chapter is subject to law of this state other than this chapter which governs the health, safety, privacy, and liberty of a child or other individual who could be affected by disclosure of information that could identify the child or other individual, including address, telephone number, digital…

Provisions applicable to father-child relationship also applicable to mother-child relationship and vice versa

To the extent practicable, a provision of this chapter applicable to a father-child relationship applies to a mother-child relationship and a provision of this chapter applicable to a mother-child relationship applies to a father-child relationship.

Mandatory use of approved forms and format rules

(1) Effective January 1, 2020, a party shall not file any pleading with the clerk of the court in an action commenced under this chapter unless on forms approved by the administrator for the courts.(2) The administrative office of the courts shall develop and approve standard court forms and format rules for mandatory…

PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP

Establishment of parent-child relationship

A parent-child relationship is established between an individual and a child if:(1) The individual gives birth to the child, except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.700 through 26.26A.785;(2) There is a presumption under RCW 26.26A.115 of the individual's parentage of the child, unless the presumption is overcome in…

No discrimination based on marital status of parent

A parent-child relationship extends equally to every child and parent, regardless of the marital status of the parent.

Consequences of establishing parentage

Unless parental rights are terminated, a parent-child relationship established under this chapter applies for all purposes, except as otherwise provided by law of this state other than this chapter.

Presumption of parentage

(1) An individual is presumed to be a parent of a child if:(a) Except as otherwise provided under RCW 26.26A.700 through 26.26A.785, or law of this state other than this chapter:(i) The individual and the woman who gave birth to the child are married to or in a state registered domestic partnership with each other and…

Rule-making authority—RCW 26.26A.115

The secretary of the department of health may adopt rules under the state administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, to implement RCW 26.26A.115.

Filing fee—Assertion of parentage

The secretary of the department of health may charge a fee for filing an assertion of parentage.

VOLUNTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PARENTAGE

Acknowledgment of parentage

A woman who gave birth to a child and an alleged genetic father of the child, intended parent under RCW 26.26A.600 through 26.26A.635, or presumed parent may sign an acknowledgment of parentage to establish the parentage of the child.

Execution of acknowledgment of parentage

(1) An acknowledgment of parentage under RCW 26.26A.200 must:(a) Be in a record signed by the woman who gave birth to the child and by the individual seeking to establish a parent-child relationship, and the signatures must be attested by a notarial officer or witnessed;(b) State that the child whose parentage is being…

Denial of parentage

A presumed parent or alleged genetic parent may sign a denial of parentage in a record. The denial of parentage is valid only if:(1) An acknowledgment of parentage by another individual is filed under RCW 26.26A.220;(2) The signature of the presumed parent or alleged genetic parent is attested by a notarial officer or…

Acknowledgment or denial of parentage—Requirements

(1) An acknowledgment of parentage and a denial of parentage may be contained in a single document or may be in counterparts and may be filed with the state registrar of vital statistics separately or simultaneously. If filing of the acknowledgment and denial both are required under this chapter, neither is effective u…

Effect of acknowledgment or denial of parentage

(1) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.235 and 26.26A.240, an acknowledgment of parentage that complies with RCW 26.26A.200 through 26.26A.265 and is filed with the state registrar of vital statistics is equivalent to an adjudication of parentage of the child and confers on the acknowledged parent all rights an…

Filing fee—Acknowledgment or denial of parentage

The secretary of the department of health may charge a fee for filing an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage, or for filing a rescission of an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage.

Ratification of an unchallenged acknowledgment of parentage barred

A court conducting a judicial proceeding or an administrative agency conducting an administrative proceeding is not required or permitted to ratify an unchallenged acknowledgment of parentage.

Procedure for rescission of an acknowledgment or denial of parentage

(1) A signatory may rescind an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage by filing with the state registrar of vital statistics a rescission in a signed record which is attested by a notarial officer or witnessed, before the earlier of:(a) Sixty days after the effective date under RCW 26.26A.215 of the acknowl…