Lummi Nation Child Support Program
Parentage Services
Learn how legal parentage may be established, when genetic testing may be available, and what happens after parentage is established.
Important Notice About Established Parentage
The Lummi Nation Child Support Program cannot use genetic testing to dispute or disestablish parentage that has already been legally established.
Parentage may already be legally established through a court order, a valid acknowledgment of parentage, or another legally recognized process. A person listed as a parent on a birth certificate may already have legally established parentage, depending on how the birth record was created.
What Is Parentage?
Parentage is the legal recognition of the parental relationship between a parent and a child.
Establishing legal parentage can affect a child’s rights, family identity, support, and access to benefits connected to a parent.
Why Establishing Parentage Matters
Establishing parentage can help:
- Ensure that both parents support their child.
- Help a child understand family medical history.
- Support citizenship or tribal identity.
- Establish legal rights or benefits connected to a parent.
- Allow the court to establish a child support order.
How Parentage May Be Established
Acknowledgment of Parentage
Unmarried parents may be able to establish parentage through a valid acknowledgment of parentage.
Court Order
Parentage may also be established through a court order.
When parentage has not already been legally established, the court may consider genetic testing and other reliable evidence.
Who May Request Parentage Establishment?
Under Lummi law, a request to establish parentage may be made by:
- A mother.
- A child.
- A child’s legal guardian.
- An alleged father.
- A designated agency of the Lummi Nation.
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing may be available when parentage is disputed and has not already been legally established.
Program staff must review the birth record, any acknowledgment of parentage, court orders, and other relevant documents before determining whether testing is available.
Testing Outside Washington
Testing may be arranged when an alleged parent lives outside Washington. LNCSP may use a contractor with testing locations in other states or coordinate with another child support agency when legal assistance is needed in that jurisdiction.
Cost of Testing
LNCSP generally pays the initial cost of genetic testing. Under Lummi law, a parent may be required to repay testing costs when the test confirms parentage.
When Parentage May Already Be Established
Parentage may already be legally established through:
- A court order.
- A valid acknowledgment of parentage.
- Another legally recognized process.
- A birth record created through a process that legally established parentage.
Being listed on a birth certificate does not automatically answer every legal question. Program staff must review how the birth record was created and whether other parentage documents or court orders exist.
Birth Certificates and Parentage
Can DNA Testing Be Ordered if a Parent Is Listed on the Birth Certificate?
Not automatically.
A birth certificate may reflect that parentage has already been legally established.
LNCSP cannot use genetic testing to challenge or disestablish parentage that is already legally established. Staff must review the birth record, any acknowledgment of parentage, court orders, and other relevant documents before determining whether testing is available.
Can Established Parentage Be Challenged Through LNCSP?
LNCSP does not provide genetic testing for the purpose of disputing or disestablishing parentage that has already been legally established.
A person seeking to challenge an existing legal determination may need to pursue a separate legal process.
Court and Testing Appointments
What Can Happen if Someone Does Not Appear?
If a person fails to appear during a parentage proceeding, including a scheduled genetic test, the court may enter a default judgment. A default judgment may establish parentage and may also lead to a child support order.
What Happens After Parentage Is Established?
- The parent-child legal relationship is recognized.
- The child may gain legal rights or benefits connected to the parent.
- The court may consider establishing a child support obligation.
- LNCSP may petition the court to establish a child support order.
Parentage Frequently Asked Questions
Select a question below to expand the answer. These answers provide general information only. Individual cases may involve additional facts, legal requirements, or court orders.
What is parentage?
Parentage is the legal recognition of the parental relationship between a parent and a child.
Why is establishing parentage important?
Establishing parentage can help ensure that both parents support their child. It may also help a child understand family medical history, establish citizenship or tribal identity, and receive legal rights or benefits connected to a parent.
How can unmarried parents establish parentage?
Parentage may be established through a valid acknowledgment of parentage or through a court order. The court may consider genetic testing and other reliable evidence when parentage has not already been legally established.
Can LNCSP order DNA testing if a parent is listed on the birth certificate?
Not automatically. A birth certificate may reflect that parentage has already been legally established. Staff must review the birth record, any acknowledgment of parentage, court orders, and other relevant documents before determining whether testing is available.
Can I request DNA testing after parentage has already been legally established?
LNCSP does not provide genetic testing for the purpose of disputing or disestablishing parentage that has already been legally established. A person seeking to challenge an existing legal determination may need to pursue a separate legal process.
Can testing be arranged if the alleged parent lives outside Washington?
Yes. LNCSP may arrange testing through a contractor with testing locations in other states. The program may also coordinate with another child support agency when legal assistance is needed in that jurisdiction.
Who pays for genetic testing?
LNCSP generally pays the initial cost of testing. Under Lummi law, a parent may be required to repay testing costs when the test confirms parentage.
What happens after parentage is established?
LNCSP may petition the court to establish a child support order.
Questions About Parentage?
Contact the Program
Parentage depends on the documents, legal history, and facts of each case. Program staff can review available information and explain whether parentage services or genetic testing may be available.
Call (360) 312-2235
General information only: Information on this page is not legal advice. LNCSP represents the interests of the Lummi Nation and does not represent either parent. Parentage, genetic-testing availability, jurisdiction, and case outcomes depend on the facts, controlling court orders, and applicable law. If website information conflicts with the Lummi Code of Laws or a court order, the controlling law or order applies.