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Centrelink action on proving parentage for child support 277-51010020

This page contains information about presumption and proof of parentage relating to child support.

Documentary evidence for proof of parentage

This table describes what is required by the customer for proof of parentage relating to their child support assessment.

Step	Action
1	Does customer know or suspect identity of child's parent and want to obtain child support for the child? + Read more ... Yes, go to Step 2 No, and the child’s birth certificate shows: Other parent unknown - invite the customer to apply for an exemption from seeking child support. Procedure ends here If the child’s birth certificate shows the name of another person but the customer advises that person is not a parent of the child, the Secretary or Delegate needs to be satisfied that the other parent is not a parent of the child. Evidence that the person is not a parent of the child can be provided through a court ruling, a DNA test, or a separate statutory declaration from each party. Do not issue a ‘Child Support Statutory Declaration – you are a parent of the child(ren) named‘ (CS4649) as this form is only used if the parent agrees that they are the parent. The customer can apply for an exemption from seeking child support, however a Parentage Unknown exemption cannot be granted until the Secretary or Delegate is satisfied that the named person is not a parent of the child. Procedure ends here.
2	Evidence of parentage? + Read more ... Can the customer provide evidence of parentage? Parentage may be established through these types of evidence: documentary evidence, e.g. birth certificate, adoption certificate, certain court documents relevant marriage or cohabitation dates verbal confirmation that they themselves are named as a parent on the register of births Overseas documents are acceptable if from a reciprocating jurisdiction. See Paying parent is overseas for a list of these countries. Yes, go to Step 7 No, go to Step 3
3	Is the child's other parent named in a register of births or on birth certificate as the child's parent? + Read more ... No, go to Step 4 Yes, and the person named is the other parent, the payee can complete a Statutory Declaration (CS4648). This is available from Child Support or from the Centrelink Service Centre. The Resources page contains a link to the form. It must be signed by the customer in front of an authorised witness Note: this must only be used if the paying parent has signed the application to register the birth that is lodged with Births, Deaths and Marriages and the application has been finalised (confirmation is usually sent to the applicant). This applies whether or not a birth certificate has been issued. $\\INTERNAL.DEPT.LOCAL\Shared\NAT\SERDELEXCEL\WORKPRODIMP\Operation Blueprint Migration\RDT Release Icons\32w\icon-phone.png$ Offer to arrange for the form to be sent to the customer. The customer may instead collect the form from their local Service Centre where an authorised witness may be available. If an appointment is needed, see Booking appointments in the Centrelink Appointment System. Go to Step 7 Yes, and the person named is not the other parent, the Secretary or Delegate needs to be satisfied that the other parent is not a parent of the child. Evidence that the person is not a parent of the child can be provided through a court ruling, a DNA test, or a separate statutory declaration from each party. If an appointment is needed, see Booking appointments in the Centrelink Appointment System. If the customer is unable to provide evidence go to Step 6 If the customer is able to provide evidence go to Step 7
4	If the child's birth has not been registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages, would each parent be willing to complete a statutory declaration that they are the child's parent? + Read more ... Yes, and the paying parent agrees that they are the parent of the child, the paying parent can complete a CS4649. This is available from Child Support or the Centrelink Service Centre. The Resources page contains a link to the form. It must be signed by the parent/s in front of an authorised witness $\\INTERNAL.DEPT.LOCAL\Shared\NAT\SERDELEXCEL\WORKPRODIMP\Operation Blueprint Migration\RDT Release Icons\32w\icon-phone.png$ Offer to arrange for the form to be sent to the customer and, if needed, see Booking appointments in the Centrelink Appointment System. Go to Step 7 No, go to Step 6.
5	Presumption of parentage + Read more ... It is up to Child Support to decide if grounds for the presumption of parentage exist. The customer should provide full details of their relationship with the named parent when they apply for a child support assessment.
6	No evidence of parentage + Read more ... Child Support will reject the customer's application for a child support assessment. If they would like help to obtain evidence of parentage, refer the customer to legal advice. Procedure ends here.
7	Lodging evidence of parentage + Read more ... Ask the customer to provide evidence of parentage within 5 days of applying for a child support assessment. Record details of contact with customer on a DOC, include any forms issued. The customer may either: send documentary evidence of parentage directly to their Child Support contact, or lodge it with Services Australia: Photocopy original document and return original to customer. Transfer documentation to Child Support. Include fax cover sheet stating the customer's name and Customer Reference Number (CRN) or case number and return contact details. Check and update the relevant child/ren's Maintenance Action Test (MAT) code if necessary. Record details on a DOC. Include type of document provided, which child for, parent's name, and Child Support contact details. Store copy of fax on customer's file. If Child Support rejects a child support application and evidence of parentage becomes available, the customer may need to reapply. See Applications for child support assessment if the customer needs to reapply.