How is paternity established if the father is not living in the same state as the mother?

In Washington, paternity can be established if the father is not living in the same state as the mother through the process of voluntary acknowledgment, genetic testing, or court action. If the father is willing to acknowledge paternity, he can sign a voluntary acknowledgment form. This form is available from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Vital Records office or from the local health district in the county where the child was born. By signing this form, the father is legally confirming that he is the biological father of the child. If the father is not willing to sign a voluntary acknowledgment form, then DNA testing may be an option. In this case, a DNA sample from the mother, child, and suspected father are taken and compared by a professional lab. If the results of the test show that the man is the father of the child, then he is legally recognized as the child’s father. Lastly, a court may order a paternity test if the father is still refusing to sign a voluntary acknowledgment or submit to a DNA test. In this case, the court will establish paternity through the results of the paternity test. Overall, paternity can be established in Washington even if the father does not live in the same state as the mother through the process of voluntary acknowledgment, genetic testing, or court action.

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How is paternity established if the father is not living in the same state as the mother?

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