Establish Paternity for Unmarried Parents
Establishing paternity in Washington involves determining the biological father of a child, often as a preliminary step before legal parentage is formally established. These situations may involve voluntary acknowledgment, genetic testing, or preparation for a parentage case when legal rights and responsibilities must be decided. This page focuses on paternity-related document preparation and how it fits within the broader parentage process. For full unmarried parent services and document preparation options, see our Unmarried Parents page.
Need to legally confirm fatherhood? Call 206-578-9493 to review your options.
Ways Paternity Can Be Established in Washington
- Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage: both parents sign a legal form establishing fatherhood without court involvement.
- Genetic (DNA) testing: used when paternity is disputed or uncertain.
- Court-ordered determination: required when there is disagreement or legal rights must be established.
When Paternity Alone Is Not Enough
Establishing paternity confirms biological fatherhood, but it does not automatically create enforceable parenting time, custody arrangements, or support obligations. In many cases, a full parentage action is required to establish those legal rights and responsibilities.
What Establishing Paternity Means
Establishing paternity determines the biological father of a child and is often the first step before a legal parentage case is filed.
When Paternity Leads to a Parentage Case
If you need to proceed beyond DNA testing and legally decide parental rights and responsibilities, you may need to file a parentage action.
A parentage case allows the court to enter orders for parenting plans, child support, and decision-making authority. Paternity is often one step within that larger legal process.