Washington LawHelp

Paternity/Parentage

Legal Information

• How do I Request a Copy of My Paternity Affidavit?

  3612EN - A Paternity Affidavit (also known as a Paternity Acknowledgment or Acknowledgment of Paternity) is a special form typically used by unmarried parents to state who the father of the child is. This publication gives you instructions on how to get a copy. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Parentage and Parenting Plans for Unmarried Parents in Washington

  3601EN - This publication should help you learn the laws that apply when you have a child and you are not married to or in a registered domestic partnership with the child’s other parent. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Video - Establishing Paternity in Washington State - Acknowledgement Form

  Establishing parentage means determining who is the legal parent of a child. This 10 minute video explaning basic questions and answers about paternity. Read More

  By:

  Division of Child Support

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Getting Your Paperwork Ready So You Can Get Help with Your Family Law Case

  3130EN - Be ready for an appointment with someone who's going to help you with your family law case. That someone might be: an attorney; a family law facilitator; an advocate at your local Domestic Violence shelter; or a CLEAR advocate who is going over forms with you by phone. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Which Court Can Enter Custody Orders? Questions and Answers about Jurisdiction

  3102EN - Determining jurisdiction can be complicated. This publication tries to explain the basics in simple terms. It may still be confusing. Try to speak with a lawyer. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Changing a Parenting Plan/Child Custody Order

  3104EN - Read this publication if you want to change a final court order that sets out where your child lives and with whom s/he visits. This order might be a Custody Decree or Order, Residential Schedule, or Parenting Plan. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

  Chinese / 中文

• Filing for Waiver of Your Filing Fee

  3204EN - This packet includes the instructions and forms needed to ask the court to waive (not ask for) the filing fee required to file court papers in a civil case because you can't afford to pay the fee. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How to Write a Declaration in a Family Law Case

  3917EN - This packet tells you what a declaration is, what should be included and tips on how to write one. There is a family law declaration and other forms attached that you can fill out. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Child Support Orders for Divorces, Parentage Cases and Petition to Change Parenting Plan Cases

  3213EN - Use this family law packet only if you are a.) Petitioner (starting the court case) or Respondent (responding to the petition) in a family law case where someone is asking for a child support order. Examples of such cases: Petition for Divorce, Petition to End Domestic Partnership, Petition to Establish Parentage or b.) Either parent in a Petition to Change Parenting Plan. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Filing a Motion for a Parenting Plan or Residential Schedule: Parentage Has Been Established in the Past Two Years

  3610EN - This packet will help you fill out and file the forms you need if a) the parentage (paternity) of your child has already been established by court order in the past two years AND b) you want a Washington court to enter a parenting plan or child support court order AND c) your proposed parenting plan does not change custody (who the child lives with most of the time). Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Guardian ad Litems in Family Law Cases Cases

  3103EN - A judge may appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) in a court case about custody or visitation rights. Any party to the case may ask for appointment of a GAL, or the judge can decide on his her/own to appoint one. A GAL may be a lawyer, mental health professional, or volunteer. This packet has the necessary forms and instructions. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• How to Work with GALs and Parenting Evaluators

  3106EN - If you are involved in a divorce, paternity or nonparental custody case where the other parent does not agree with you, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or Parenting Evaluator. This publication contains tips to help you work successfully with the GAL. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Responding to Motions for Temporary Family Law Orders or Immediate Restraining Orders: Parentage Cases

  3609EN - This packet will help you fill out and file the forms and papers you need to respond to a Motion for Temporary Family Law Orders or for Immediate Restraining Orders and Hearing Notice. Use this packet only where someone has already filed a Petition relating to parentage of a child. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Service by Certified Mail or Publication

  3220EN - This packet applies when you are the petitioner and you must serve the opposing party with the petition and other documents in your case when your case first begins. When you have tried to serve the other party in person but cannot, you can ask the court to allow you to serve by certified mail or publication. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project