VOLUNTARY PATERNITY (PARENTAGE) ACKNOWLEDGMENT
AND PARENTING AGREEMENT
(State of Washington – RCW 26.26A Compliant)
[// GUIDANCE: This form intentionally combines (i) the statutory “Acknowledgment of Parentage” required under Washington’s Uniform Parentage Act, RCW 26.26A, with (ii) a customizable Parenting/Support Agreement. If the parties need only the bare statutory acknowledgment, delete Articles IV–VII and renumber accordingly.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header
- Definitions
- Operative Provisions
- Representations & Warranties
- Covenants & Restrictions
- Default & Remedies
- Risk Allocation
- Dispute Resolution
- General Provisions
- Execution Block
1. DOCUMENT HEADER
1.1 Title. Voluntary Paternity (Parentage) Acknowledgment and Parenting Agreement (“Agreement”).
1.2 Parties.
(a) “[MOTHER NAME]”, an individual with a principal residence at [ADDRESS] (“Mother”);
(b) “[FATHER NAME]”, an individual with a principal residence at [ADDRESS] (“Father”); and
(c) “[CHILD NAME]”, born on [DOB] in [CITY/COUNTY], Washington (the “Child”).
1.3 Recitals.
A. Mother gave birth to the Child on the above-stated date.
B. The parties desire to voluntarily establish Father’s parentage of the Child pursuant to RCW 26.26A and to set forth their respective rights and responsibilities.
C. Consideration. Each party’s mutual promises herein constitute good and valuable consideration.
1.4 Effective Date. This Agreement is effective on the later of (i) the date last signed below, or (ii) the date it is filed and accepted by the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics (the “Effective Date”).
1.5 Governing Law & Forum. Washington law governs. Exclusive jurisdiction lies with the Superior Court of the State of Washington for the county in which the Child resides, sitting in its Family Law Department (“Family Court”).
2. DEFINITIONS
“Acknowledgment” – the voluntary acknowledgment of parentage executed under RCW 26.26A.200 et seq.
“Child Support Schedule” – Washington State Child Support Schedule codified at RCW 26.19 and associated worksheets.
“Department” – Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics, or its successor.
“Genetic Testing” – DNA testing performed by an accredited laboratory in compliance with RCW 26.26A.350.
“Parentage Act” – Washington Uniform Parentage Act, RCW 26.26A.
“Rescission Period” – the earlier of (i) sixty (60) days after the Effective Date, or (ii) the date of the first court hearing in a proceeding in which parentage is an issue, per RCW 26.26A.235.
[Add additional defined terms as needed.]
3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS
3.1 Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage.
(a) Father hereby declares, under penalty of perjury, that he is the genetic parent of the Child.
(b) Mother affirms the same.
(c) The parties shall execute the statutory Washington State Acknowledgment of Parentage form contemporaneously with this Agreement and file it with the Department within five (5) business days after execution.
3.2 Genetic Testing.
(a) Right to Testing. Either party may request Genetic Testing prior to execution.
(b) Waiver. By signing this Agreement without requesting testing, that party irrevocably waives the right to compel Genetic Testing thereafter, except as allowed under RCW 26.26A.445 (fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact).
3.3 Rescission & Challenge.
(a) Either party may rescind the Acknowledgment by completing and filing a “Rescission of Parentage Acknowledgment” on or before the expiration of the Rescission Period.
(b) After the Rescission Period, the Acknowledgment may be challenged only on the grounds and within the time limits stated in RCW 26.26A.240–.265.
3.4 Child Support.
(a) Duty Established. Father’s legal duty of support commences on the Effective Date and is not subject to contractual waiver or limitation.
(b) Calculation. Support shall be calculated in accordance with the Child Support Schedule using the parties’ respective gross incomes as set forth in Schedule 1 attached.
(c) Modification. Either parent may petition Family Court to modify support consistent with RCW 26.09.170.
3.5 Residential Schedule & Decision-Making.
(a) Interim Schedule. The parties agree to the temporary residential schedule in Schedule 2 attached.
(b) Permanent Parenting Plan. Within [90] days after the Effective Date, the parties shall submit an agreed Parenting Plan to Family Court for approval pursuant to RCW 26.09.184 et seq.
3.6 Health Care & Insurance. Father shall provide medical insurance for the Child if available at reasonable cost; otherwise, Mother shall do so. Uncovered costs shall be allocated [PERCENTAGE] Mother / [PERCENTAGE] Father.
3.7 Tax Dependency Exemption. Subject to IRS rules, the parties shall alternate claiming the Child as a dependent, with [PARTY] claiming in [ODD/EVEN] tax years.
4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES
4.1 Capacity. Each party is at least eighteen (18) years old, of sound mind, and under no impairment.
4.2 Marital Status. Mother was [single/married] at the Child’s birth. If married, spouse’s consent or adjudication eliminating spouse’s presumed parentage is attached as Schedule 3.
4.3 No Prior Adjudication. No court has adjudicated another person as the Child’s parent.
4.4 No Fraud or Duress. Execution is knowing, voluntary, and free from coercion.
4.5 Accuracy of Information. All information provided herein and on the statutory Acknowledgment form is true and correct.
4.6 Survival. These representations and warranties survive execution and filing of this Agreement.
5. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS
5.1 Filing Obligation. The parties shall cooperate in promptly filing the Acknowledgment and any rescission, if applicable, with the Department.
5.2 Support Compliance. Father covenants to timely pay court-ordered support; Mother covenants to promptly endorse and negotiate child support instruments solely for the Child’s benefit.
5.3 Information Exchange. Each parent shall exchange updated contact, employment, and insurance information within ten (10) days of any change.
5.4 Relocation Notice. Either parent intending to relocate outside the Child’s current school district shall provide statutory notice under RCW 26.09.430–.480.
5.5 Non-disparagement. Each parent shall refrain from disparaging the other in the Child’s presence.
6. DEFAULT & REMEDIES
6.1 Events of Default.
(i) Failure to pay support when due;
(ii) Failure to comply with residential schedule without good cause;
(iii) Material misrepresentation in this Agreement or the Acknowledgment.
6.2 Notice & Cure. The non-defaulting party shall give written notice specifying the default. The defaulting party shall have ten (10) days to cure monetary defaults and thirty (30) days to cure non-monetary defaults, unless support enforcement statutes require immediate action.
6.3 Remedies.
(a) Support Enforcement. The Washington Division of Child Support (DCS) or the non-defaulting parent may pursue wage withholding, tax refund interception, or other statutory remedies.
(b) Contempt. Willful violation may subject the defaulting party to contempt sanctions under RCW 7.21.
(c) Attorney Fees. The prevailing party is entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in enforcing this Agreement.
7. RISK ALLOCATION
7.1 Indemnification. Not applicable; each party bears his or her own statutory responsibilities.
7.2 Limitation of Liability. Nothing herein limits or caps either parent’s child support obligations or other duties imposed by law.
7.3 Force Majeure. A party’s performance of residential or visitation obligations is excused to the extent prevented by circumstances beyond that party’s reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters), provided that party gives prompt notice and resumes performance as soon as practicable. Child support is not suspended absent court order.
8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
8.1 Governing Law. Washington State law, including the Parentage Act and related family law statutes, governs all matters arising under this Agreement.
8.2 Forum Selection. Exclusive venue and jurisdiction lie with Family Court.
8.3 Arbitration. The parties acknowledge that arbitration of parentage, support, or residential issues is not permitted under Washington law; accordingly, no arbitration clause is provided.
8.4 Jury Trial. Family Court matters are tried without a jury; accordingly, no jury-trial waiver is required.
8.5 Injunctive Relief. Nothing herein limits Family Court’s authority to enter temporary or permanent injunctions or restraining orders to protect the Child’s best interests or to enforce support obligations.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 Amendments & Waivers. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parents and, where required, approved by Family Court. No waiver is effective unless in writing.
9.2 Assignment. Parental duties are personal and not assignable. Rights to receive support are assignable only to DCS as provided by law.
9.3 Successors & Assigns. This Agreement binds the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, and permitted assigns.
9.4 Severability. If any provision is held invalid, the remainder shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted, and the invalid provision reformed to comply with applicable law while preserving the parties’ intent.
9.5 Integration. This Agreement, together with the statutory Acknowledgment of Parentage and attached Schedules, constitutes the entire understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements on the subject matter.
9.6 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which constitutes an original. Signatures delivered by electronic means (e.g., DocuSign, PDF) are binding to the fullest extent permitted by RCW 1.80 (Washington Electronic Authentication Act).
10. EXECUTION BLOCK
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates set forth below.
| Mother | Father | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature | _________ | _________ |
| Printed Name | [MOTHER NAME] | [FATHER NAME] |
| Date | ______ | ______ |
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
: ss.
COUNTY OF ____ )
On this _ day of _, 20__, before me, the undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared [MOTHER NAME] and [FATHER NAME], known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the persons who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged it to be their free and voluntary act for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.
Notary Public in and for the State of Washington
My commission expires: _______
[// GUIDANCE: The statutory Acknowledgment of Parentage form requires notarization OR two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. Attach the official DOH form behind this Agreement for filing.]
SCHEDULE 1
Income & Child Support Worksheet
[Attach completed Washington Child Support Schedule Worksheets with gross/net income, deductions, and standard calculations.]
SCHEDULE 2
Interim Residential Schedule
[Detail weekdays, weekends, holidays, transportation responsibilities, contact methods, etc.]
SCHEDULE 3 (If Applicable)
Spousal Consent or Court Order Adjudicating Non-Parentage of Presumed Spouse
[Attach signed consent or court order number, filing date, and county.]