Adjudicating parentage of child with alleged genetic parent.
RCW 26.26A.430
in effect(1) A proceeding to determine whether an alleged genetic parent who is not a presumed parent is a parent of a child may be commenced: (a) Before the child becomes an adult; or (b) After the child becomes an adult, but only if the child initiates the proceeding. (2) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.465 , this subsection applies in a proceeding described in subsection (1) of this section if the woman who gave birth to the child is the only other individual with a claim to parentage of the child. The court shall adjudicate an alleged genetic parent to be a parent of the child if the alleged genetic parent: (a) Is identified under RCW 26.26A.325 as a genetic parent of the child and the identification is not successfully challenged under RCW 26.26A.325 ; (b) Admits parentage in a pleading, when making an appearance, or during a hearing, the court accepts the admission, and the court determines the alleged genetic parent to be a parent of the child; (c) Declines to submit to genetic testing ordered by the court or a child support agency, in which case the court may adjudicate the alleged genetic parent to be a parent of the child even if the alleged genetic parent denies a genetic relationship with the child; (d) Is in default after service of process and the court determines the alleged genetic parent to be a parent of the child; or (e) Is neither identified nor excluded as a genetic parent by genetic testing and, based on other evidence, the court determines the alleged genetic parent to be a parent of the child. (3) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.465 and subject to other limitations in RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 , if in a proceeding involving an alleged genetic parent, at least one other individual in addition to the woman who gave birth to the child has a claim to parentage of the child, the court shall adjudicate parentage under RCW 26.26A.460 .
(1) A proceeding to determine whether an alleged genetic parent who is not a presumed parent is a parent of a child may be commenced:
(a) Before the child becomes an adult; or
(b) After the child becomes an adult, but only if the child initiates the proceeding.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.465 , this subsection applies in a proceeding described in subsection (1) of this section if the woman who gave birth to the child is the only other individual with a claim to parentage of the child. The court shall adjudicate an alleged genetic parent to be a parent of the child if the alleged genetic parent:
(a) Is identified under RCW 26.26A.325 as a genetic parent of the child and the identification is not successfully challenged under RCW 26.26A.325 ;
(b) Admits parentage in a pleading, when making an appearance, or during a hearing, the court accepts the admission, and the court determines the alleged genetic parent to be a parent of the child;
(c) Declines to submit to genetic testing ordered by the court or a child support agency, in which case the court may adjudicate the alleged genetic parent to be a parent of the child even if the alleged genetic parent denies a genetic relationship with the child;
(d) Is in default after service of process and the court determines the alleged genetic parent to be a parent of the child; or
(e) Is neither identified nor excluded as a genetic parent by genetic testing and, based on other evidence, the court determines the alleged genetic parent to be a parent of the child.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.465 and subject to other limitations in RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 , if in a proceeding involving an alleged genetic parent, at least one other individual in addition to the woman who gave birth to the child has a claim to parentage of the child, the court shall adjudicate parentage under RCW 26.26A.460 .
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.26A&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026