- What is the Parentage and Paternity Program?
In 2025, more than 25,000 children were born to unmarried parents in Washington state. The Parentage and Paternity Program provides unmarried parents an opportunity to voluntarily sign an Acknowledgment of Parentage. Once both parents sign the acknowledgment and it is witnessed or notarized, the Washington State Department of Health can enter the second parent's name on the birth certificate. The acknowledgment establishes a legal finding of parentage.
Legally establishing parentage helps a child become eligible to receive benefits like child support, Social Security, health insurance, inheritance rights and more. Establishing parentage also makes it possible for the child to enjoy a sense of belonging that comes from knowing both parents. Washington's program began in July 1989. Your efforts helped the parents of more than 24,000 children sign an Acknowledgment of Parentage last year.
- Who should use the information on this page?
Any person or organization who offers unmarried parents an opportunity to sign an Acknowledgment of Parentage should read and follow this guide. Federal regulation (45 CFR 303.5) and state law (RCW 70.58A.100) require physicians, midwives, hospitals and birth records agencies to provide unmarried parents an opportunity to sign an AOP. Other people or organizations such as birthing clinics, social service organizations and educational institutions may participate voluntarily.
- How do I offer parents an opportunity to sign the Acknowledgment of Parentage?
Follow these six steps. You can also watch the “How to Offer the Acknowledgment of Parentage” video created for birth providers.
These instructions assume a parent has given birth in a hospital, birthing clinic or at home. Sometimes you will have the opportunity to provide information to expecting parents in advance. In both instances, you can provide the AOP form, the "Establish Parentage for Your Child's Sake" booklet and the “Acknowledgment of Parentage” video (English) (Spanish).
You can encourage expecting parents to bring the completed acknowledgment to the place where they will give birth.
Step 1
Determine whether or not the parents are married to each other.
Provide unmarried parents with written information about the AOP:
- Give the parents an Acknowledgment of Parentage (DOH 422-159) and the "Establish Parentage for Your Child's Sake" booklet (available in English and Spanish).
- When providing the materials, ask parents to read the “Statements of Acknowledgment” and the “Instructions for Acknowledgment of Parentage Form” (pages 2-3 of the AOP). Federal and state laws require that parents receive this written information.
Step 2
Provide oral information to parents about the benefits and legal requirements of signing the acknowledgment, per federal and state law. Parents should not sign the AOP until they have received this information. Offer the parents the opportunity to do at least one of the following:
- View the “Acknowledgment of Parentage” video in English or Spanish
- Call 800-356-0463 to listen to a recorded message about the AOP in English or Spanish.
- Hear “Statements of Acknowledgment” and “Instructions for Acknowledgment Form” read by the provider.
Step 3
Completing the AOP is voluntary. Parents should only sign the AOP if they are sure they want to legally establish themselves as the parent of the child.
Help parents complete the current Acknowledgment of Parentage. You can download the form directly from the Department of Health website. Check that the form is accurate and complete. The form must be completed in ink. Keep a close eye on these lines:
- Denying Parentage checkbox: Parents should only check this box at the top of the form if a Denial of Parentage is needed. The spouse or ex-spouse who is or was married to the mother/birth parent, or an alleged genetic parent, can sign a Denial of Parentage and will not be a parent listed on the birth certificate. If the denial box is checked, the full name of the person denying parentage should be listed.
- Contact information for each parent must be included. If a Rescission of Parentage is filed, DOH contacts the parents.
- Federal regulations require the field for the second parent’s Social Security number. You can leave line 23 blank if the second parent won't or can't provide their Social Security number.
Step 4
Each parent must choose to sign the AOP in front of either a notary or a witness. The notary must attest to the authenticity of the signature. A witness must be at least 18 years old and not related by blood or marriage to the people who sign the AOP form.
Witness or notarize the parent's signatures. Be certain to separately witness or notarize each signature. The notary should place their stamp or seal to the right of the mother/birth parent's and/or second parent's signature block.
Sometimes notary services are not immediately available at the place of birth. If possible, help the parents find a place where they can receive notary services. The bottom of the instruction page of the acknowledgment lists some potential notary locations. Any Washington state Division of Child Support office will witness or notarize the acknowledgment at no cost. Be sure the notary or witness signs and prints their full name.
Note: DCS will reimburse birth providers for costs associated with adding or renewing public notaries. Contact DCS for more information.
Some parents will want to take the acknowledgment home with them. Remind them that if they return the completed acknowledgment to you within five days of the birth, you will forward the acknowledgment to DOH for filing. If parents do not return the completed acknowledgment within five days, they can choose one of the following options:
- Mail the acknowledgment with the filing fee to DOH at the address on the form.
- Take the acknowledgment to the local DCS office. DCS will witness or notarize the acknowledgment and forward it to DOH. The parents can also mail the completed acknowledgment to DCS. DCS will pay the filing fee for the parents.
Step 5
Distribute copies to the appropriate people and places as follows:
- Mail the original acknowledgment to the Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 47814, Olympia, WA 98504-7814 at the same time you submit the birth certificate information. If the birth mother is married or in a registered domestic partnership and the presumed or alleged genetic parent has signed a denial, include the denial with the acknowledgment.
- Give copies to the parents or have them take a picture of the form with their phone.
Step 6
DCS will pay you $20 for each successfully filed AOP.
DOH tracks the number of successfully filed AOPs from each hospital and midwife. DOH submits a report to DCS with this information by the 10th day of each month.
Each hospital or midwife may request reimbursement after the 10th day of the month by sending an email to DCS to request their report.
- Email the request to providereimbursement@DSHS.wa.gov
- Include the subject line “Request Report”
- Make sure the email includes:
- Your name
- Your hospital or midwifery name
- Your phone number
You should receive a copy of your report by email within 10 business days. The report will provide the number of successfully filed AOPs your facility completed in the prior month. A State of Washington Invoice Voucher (DSHS A19-1A) will also be attached to the reply email.
The hospital or midwife will complete and sign the State of Washington Invoice Voucher. Please complete all shaded areas of the Invoice Voucher:
- In the Hospital/Business section (top left), enter the official name (not the DBA name) and address of the hospital, person or organization that should receive payment.
- Assign an invoice number or unique identifier and date in the upper right corner. This will assist your fiscal/accounting department when they receive payment from DSHS/DCS Fiscal.
- Include your Statewide Vendor Number, including a two-digit suffix. If you do not have a Statewide Vendor Number, or you do not know your facility's vendor number and you are the contact on record, you can contact the Payee Helpdesk at 360-407-8180 or payeeregistration@ofm.gov.
- In the TOTAL AOP SUBMITTED field, input the total number of AOPs successfully filed from your facility from the report. The number of AOPs on the Invoice Voucher must match the number of AOPs on the report.
- The Invoice Voucher includes a formula to multiply the total number on the report by $20 to complete the Total Due column.
- An authorized person must include their name in the By field (as an electronic signature) or sign and date the invoice (top right). The invoice is considered incomplete without this information.
- Leave all other parts of the invoice voucher form blank.
To request reimbursement:
- Forward the original email chain with the attached report. Attach the completed Invoice Voucher.
- Change the email subject line to “Request Reimbursement”.
- Send the email with the attached Invoice Voucher and report to providereimbursement@dshs.wa.gov.
- Are there any other options available if one or both parents do not want to sign the acknowledgment?
Yes. DCS has a no-cost paternity testing program. Birth providers should provide the "Voluntary Paternity Testing Program" brochure to families interested in paternity testing. If parents have additional questions or want to find out if they qualify, they can call the DCS Voluntary Paternity Testing Program at 800-285-1892.
Either parent can open a case with DCS. In most cases, DCS will refer the case to a prosecuting attorney for parentage establishment through the court. That process usually includes genetic testing. Refer the parents to the “Establish Parentage for Your Child’s Sake” booklet for more information.
- Does signing the Acknowledgment of Parentage establish any custody or visitation rights?
No. Only the courts can address custody and visitation issues. Parents who sign an AOP can initiate a court action to address these issues. Refer the parents to the "Establish Parentage for Your Child's Sake" booklet for more information.
- What if a minor (under age 18) wants to sign the acknowledgment?
An AOP signed by a minor is valid. Minors who sign an AOP will be held to the same standard as adults.
- What if one parent wants to sign but the other parent does not?
Signing the Acknowledgment of Parentage is voluntary for both parents. The acknowledgment is valid only after both parents have signed.
- What if the mother is or was married but the spouse or ex-spouse will not be the second parent listed on the birth certificate?
A presumed parent (spouse or ex-spouse) or alleged genetic parent can complete a Denial of Parentage. When the denial is filed with an acknowledgment, it allows the person denying parentage to be discharged from all rights and duties as a parent. The person denying parentage will not be listed on the birth certificate.
- Can parents change their minds after they sign the acknowledgment?
Either parent who signs an AOP may change their mind within a limited period. The legal term is called a rescission. To rescind a signature, the parent must file a Rescission of Parentage form within a maximum of 60 days after the AOP is filed at DOH, or before the first court proceeding, whichever happens first.
After the rescission period, a challenge to the acknowledgment or denial can be filed in court for limited reasons up to four years after the acknowledgment or denial is filed with DOH. The parent will need to prove in Superior Court that they signed the form as a result of fraud, duress or factual mistake.
- What should I say if parents have questions about child support that I cannot answer?
Do not attempt to provide legal advice. Encourage the parents to read the materials with the Acknowledgment of Parentage and watch the video. If parents still have questions, refer them to the child support office serving their area. The toll-free number for a child support office near them is provided in the "Establish Parentage for Your Child's Sake" booklet. The booklet also provides information on legal resources.
- How do I order materials?
You will need the following materials to provide parents the opportunity to sign an. Acknowledgment of Parentage
- Acknowledgment of Parentage (DOH 422-159) is available to download in English and Spanish from DOH. On the upper left corner of the form, you will find the form number and the latest revision date. Check the DOH website to make sure you are using the most current form.
- The “Establish Parentage for Your Child's Sake” booklet (available in English and Spanish).
- The “Acknowledgment of Parentage” video explaining the benefits, rights, responsibilities and legal consequences of signing the acknowledgment is available in English and Spanish.
- The "Division of Child Support Voluntary Paternity Testing Program" brochure is also available in English and Spanish.
Easy ordering
You can order parentage materials quickly and easily using this order form.
You will receive your order within seven to 10 working days.
- How do I contact a parentage and paternity coordinator if I have other questions?
DCS will provide training for you and your employees virtually or onsite. Training sessions usually take about one hour.
- To ask a question about how to file or amend a birth certificate, call DOH/CHS at 360-236-4300.
- To arrange for training or ask program questions, call the parentage and paternity program coordinator in the DCS field office nearest you. You can also contact Parentage and Paternity Initiatives Manager Jill Schropp at 206-341-7115 or Assistant Manager Bridgette Pierce at 425-438-4929.
Everett: Tracy Jahr 425-438-4930 Kennewick: Dezma Barajas 509-374-2018 Olympia: Kaylee Nicklos 360-664-6932 Seattle: Kyle Killebrew 206-341-7181 Spokane: Matt Gillio 509-363-4943 Tacoma: P Shives 253-476-7643 Vancouver: Mark Anderson 360-397-9816 Wenatchee: Lisa Owens 509-886-6819 Yakima: Delia Hernandez 509-249-6082
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