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Proof of parentage
Before an application for child support is accepted, CSA must be satisfied that you are the natural or adoptive parent of the child or children involved.
CSA will accept that you are the parent if the applicant can provide one of the following documents:
- Marriage certificate showing that you and the other parent of the child were married when the child was born.
- Birth certificate/s of the child/children involved showing that you are the parent.
- A statutory declaration by the receiving parent stating that you are named as the parent of the child or children on the birth certificate/s.
- A statutory declaration by you stating that you are a parent of the child/children.
- Adoption certificate/s of the child or children showing that you are the adoptive parent.
- A document from a court showing that you are the parent of the child/children.
CSA will also accept that you are the parent if presumption of parentage applies.
What is 'presumption of parentage'?
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A presumption of parentage is if the parents were married and:
- the child or children were born after the parents were married and before they were separated
- the child or children were born after the parents separated, but before they were divorced (if there is no information showing someone else is the parent)
- the parents separated, and lived together again on one occasion for less than three months and the child or children were born within 44 weeks after this period of living together ended and after their divorce
- the parents had the marriage annulled, and the child or children were born within 44 weeks after the marriage.
- If the parents were not married but lived together 20 - 44 weeks before the birth of the child or children.
I don't agree I am the parent of the child - what can I do?
CSA cannot be satisfied that a person is or isn't a parent of a child solely on the basis of:
- the results of paternity tests; or
- a person's verbal acknowledgment or denial of parentage.
Only a court may determine parentage using evidence other than the criteria listed above in What is 'presumption of parentage'?.
Contact the Family Court of Australia if you are disputing parentage and want to know what to do.
More information
More detailed information about proof of parentage is available in Chapter 2.2: Eligibility (including parentage and care) of The Guide.
Contact CSA if you need more information.
