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Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) “Acknowledged parent” means an individual who has established a parent-child relationship under RCW 26.26A.200 through 26.26A.265.
(2) “Adjudicated parent” means an individual who has been adjudicated to be a parent of a child by a court with jurisdiction.
(3) “Alleged genetic parent” means an individual who is alleged to be, or alleges that the individual is, a genetic parent or possible genetic parent of a child whose parentage has not been adjudicated. The term includes an alleged genetic father and alleged genetic mother. The term does not include:
(a) A presumed parent;
(b) An individual whose parental rights have been terminated or declared not to exist; or
(c) A donor.
(4) “Assisted reproduction” means a method of causing pregnancy other than sexual intercourse. The term includes:
(a) Intrauterine or intracervical insemination;
(b) Donation of gametes;
(c) Donation of embryos;
(d) In-vitro fertilization and transfer of embryos; and
(e) Intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
(5) “Birth record” means a report of birth that has been registered by the state registrar of vital statistics.
(6) “Child” means an individual of any age whose parentage may be determined under this chapter.
(7) “Child support agency” means a government entity, public official, or private agency, authorized to provide parentage-establishment services under Title IV-D of the social security act, 42 U.S.C. Secs. 651 through 669.
(8) “Determination of parentage” means establishment of a parent-child relationship by a judicial proceeding or signing of a valid acknowledgment of parentage under RCW 26.26A.200 through 26.26A.265.
(9) “Donor” means an individual who provides gametes intended for use in assisted reproduction, whether or not for consideration. The term does not include:
(a) A woman who gives birth to a child conceived by assisted reproduction, except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.700 through 26.26A.785; or
(b) A parent under RCW 26.26A.600 through 26.26A.635 or an intended parent under RCW 26.26A.700 through 26.26A.785.
(10) “Gamete” means sperm, egg, or any part of a sperm or egg.
(11) “Genetic testing” means an analysis of genetic markers to identify or exclude a genetic relationship.
(12) “Individual” means a natural person of any age.
(13) “Intended parent” means an individual, married or unmarried, who manifests an intent to be legally bound as a parent of a child conceived by assisted reproduction.
(14) “Man” means a male individual of any age.
(15) “Parent” means an individual who has established a parent-child relationship under RCW 26.26A.100.
(16) “Parentage” or “parent-child relationship” means the legal relationship between a child and a parent of the child.
(17) “Presumed parent” means an individual who under RCW 26.26A.115 is presumed to be a parent of a child, unless the presumption is overcome in a judicial proceeding, a valid denial of parentage is made under RCW 26.26A.200 through 26.26A.265, or a court adjudicates the individual to be a parent.
(18) “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(19) “Sign” means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:
(a) To execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or
(b) To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or process.
(20) “Signatory” means an individual who signs a record.
(21) “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession under the jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes a federally recognized Indian tribe.
(22) “Transfer” means a procedure for assisted reproduction by which an embryo or sperm is placed in the body of the woman who will give birth to the child.
(23) “Witnessed” means that at least one individual who is authorized to sign has signed a record to verify that the individual personally observed a signatory sign the record.
(24) “Woman” means a female individual of any age.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Washington Revised Code Title 26. Domestic Relations § 26.26A.010. Definitions - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wa/title-26-domestic-relations/wa-rev-code-26-26a-010/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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