Establishing Paternity in Athens County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Athens County, Ohio · Athens

Establishing paternity legally identifies a child's father, which unlocks custody, parenting time, child support, and benefits. In Athens County, parentage for unmarried parents is handled by the combined Probate/Juvenile Court, or administratively through the Athens County CSEA. There are three routes: a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity, an administrative CSEA order, or a judicial parentage action.

How do I establish paternity in Athens County, Ohio?

There are three ways. Both parents can sign a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (often at the hospital or through the CSEA), which becomes final if not rescinded. The Athens County CSEA, (740) 593-5046, can establish paternity administratively and order genetic testing. Or you can file a judicial parentage action in the Athens County Probate/Juvenile Court (Custody/Visitation/Parentage filing $115), where the court can order genetic testing and then allocate custody, parenting time, and support (R.C. Chapter 3111; R.C. 2151.23).

Ohio Custody by the Numbers

Best interest The single standard that governs every Ohio custody decision Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04
No set age There is no age a child can choose a parent — the judge weighs a mature child's wishes Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(B)
Change in circumstances Required, plus a best-interest finding, before the residential parent can be changed Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(E)(1)
Shared parenting Either parent may ask the court for a joint parenting plan Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(G)

Compare Types of Custody in Ohio

Custody type	Who makes major decisions	Where the child lives	Best when
Shared parenting	Both parents jointly, under a written plan	Time is split per the plan (not always 50/50)	Parents can communicate and cooperate on decisions
Sole legal & residential	One parent	Primarily with that parent	One parent is unable or unwilling to co-parent
Split custody	Each parent for the child in their care	Siblings are divided between the two homes	Rare — only when it serves each child's best interest
Legal custody to a non-parent	The relative or caregiver granted custody	With the non-parent caregiver	Neither parent can safely care for the child

Where to File: Athens County Court of Common Pleas, General Division — Domestic Relations Division

Athens County Courthouse, 1 S. Court Street, 4th Floor, Athens, OH 45701, Athens, OH 45701
Phone: (740) 592-3242
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed legal holidays)
Website: www.co.athensoh.org/government/common_pleas_court/domestic_relations_division.php
e-Filing: https://eservices.athenscommonpleas.com/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Athens County Probate/Juvenile Court
Athens County Courthouse, 1 S. Court Street, 2nd Floor, Athens, OH 45701, Athens, OH 45701
Phone: (740) 592-3256
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Paternity is the right path if…

The parents were never married and paternity has not yet been legally established.
You need paternity decided before the court can order custody, parenting time, or child support.
You are the mother, the alleged father, or the child's representative seeking a parentage determination.
You are prepared to use an Acknowledgment of Paternity, a CSEA administrative process, or a judicial action with possible genetic testing.

Filing Fees

Judicial parentage in the Probate/Juvenile Court: $115 (Custody/Visitation/Parentage) · Motion $66 · Acknowledgment of Paternity and CSEA administrative paternity carry no court filing fee. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk's Legal Department at (740) 592-3242, option 5, before filing.

Forms & Filing Packets

Judicial parentage action (Probate/Juvenile Court) — $115 (Custody/Visitation/Parentage) — Juvenile fee schedule

File a parentage complaint in the combined Probate/Juvenile Court. The court can order genetic testing and then allocate custody, parenting time, and support.

Parentage, Custody and/or Parenting Time (Ohio SC Juvenile packet) — The Ohio Supreme Court standardized Juvenile packet the Athens Probate/Juvenile Court directs never-married parents to use to establish parentage, allocate custody, and set parenting time (R.C. Chapter 3111; R.C. 2151.23).
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody under the UCCJEA. Required in any case involving minor children.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you ask the court to set or change support.

Administrative paternity through the CSEA — No court filing fee (CSEA administrative process)

The Athens County CSEA can establish paternity administratively, including ordering genetic testing, and then set an administrative support order.

IV-D Application for Child Support Services — Opens or links your case with the Athens County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), (740) 593-5046, so support is collected by wage withholding and enforced. Required with any filing that establishes or changes support; request the application from the CSEA.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you ask the court to set or change support.

How to File Paternity in Athens County

Choose your route. If both parents agree, sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity. If paternity is disputed, use the CSEA administrative process or a judicial parentage action.
Request genetic testing if needed. The CSEA or the court can order genetic testing when parentage is in question.
File the parentage packet. For a court action, file the Ohio Supreme Court Juvenile parentage packet in the Athens County Probate/Juvenile Court and pay the $115 filing fee.
Address custody and support. Once parentage is established, the same case can allocate custody and parenting time and set child support through the CSEA.

Athens County Practice Notes

Three routes to parentage. Ohio recognizes a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity, an administrative CSEA determination (with genetic testing), and a judicial parentage action (R.C. Chapter 3111). An Acknowledgment becomes final if it is not rescinded within the statutory window.
Parentage comes before custody and support. The Probate/Juvenile Court cannot allocate custody, parenting time, or order support for a never-married father until parentage is established. Once it is, the same Juvenile case can set all three.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I establish paternity in Athens County?: Three ways: both parents can sign a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (often at the hospital or through the CSEA), which becomes final if not rescinded; the Athens County CSEA can establish paternity administratively and order genetic testing; or you can file a judicial parentage action in the Probate/Juvenile Court, where the court can order genetic testing (R.C. Chapter 3111).
How much is a paternity or custody filing in Athens County Juvenile Court?: A Custody/Visitation/Parentage filing in the Probate/Juvenile Court is $115, and a motion is $66 (Juvenile fee schedule). An Acknowledgment of Paternity and CSEA administrative paternity carry no court filing fee. Confirm current amounts with the Juvenile Court at (740) 592-3256.
Do I file in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Athens County?: If you are married to (or were married to) the other parent, custody, parenting time, and child support are decided inside your divorce, legal separation, or dissolution in the Domestic Relations Division. If you were never married, paternity, custody, and support are handled by the combined Probate/Juvenile Court. Grandparent and other non-parent custody requests are always filed in the Probate/Juvenile Court.
How is child support calculated in Athens County?: Using the statewide Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 income-shares model) from the official calculator at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov. The support order must contain the mandatory statutory support language and any deviation findings, and the Athens County CSEA administers and enforces it.

Free Local Resources in Athens County

Athens County Clerk of Courts — Legal Department. 1 S. Court Street, 4th Floor, Athens, OH 45701; (740) 592-3242. Confirms current filing deposits, hosts the Domestic Relations forms page, and runs the CourtView online docket and e-file (https://eservices.athenscommonpleas.com/). Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Athens County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Under Athens County Job & Family Services, 13183 St. Rte. 13, Millfield, OH 45761; (740) 593-5046 or 1-800-436-8933 (https://jfs.athensoh.org/). Opens IV-D cases, sets and collects support by wage withholding, and can establish paternity administratively.
Parent-education seminar (Athens County Children Services). Required within 60 days in every Domestic Relations case with minor children (Local Rule 24.02(D)). Register with the Director of Preventive Services at (740) 592-3061 ext. 305; the class is no more than $10 per person.
Athens County Probate/Juvenile Court. 1 S. Court Street, 2nd Floor, Athens, OH 45701; Juvenile (740) 592-3256, Probate (740) 592-3251 (https://www.athenscountypjcourt.com/). Hears never-married parentage and custody, non-parent custody, and companionship. No e-filing portal — fax filing of non-fee documents to (740) 592-3268 is permitted.

Related to your paternity case

Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Grandparents' Rights — Seek visitation or custody when it serves the child's best interest.
Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on paternity and related Ohio family law topics.

Fathers' Rights in Ohio: Custody, Paternity, and Parenting Time — Ohio law does not favor mothers over fathers — but unmarried fathers must establish paternity before they have any rights. Here's how fathers protect their relationship with their children.
Ohio Child Custody Laws: What Every Parent Should Know — Ohio custody law turns on one principle: the best interest of the child. This guide explains sole custody, shared parenting, the statutory factors, and how courts decide.
Child Support Calculation in Ohio: How the Formula Works — Ohio calculates child support with the income shares model, combining both parents' incomes to set a shared obligation. Here's how the formula works and what changes the bottom line.

Keep exploring

Ohio Paternity guide — Statewide overview of paternity in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
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