Establishing Paternity in Clinton County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated June 9, 2026

Clinton County, Ohio · Wilmington

When parents were never married, establishing parentage is the first step before a court can order custody, parenting time, or child support. In Clinton County, paternity can be established by a signed Acknowledgment of Paternity, by an administrative order through the Clinton County CSEA (often with genetic testing and no court hearing), or by a judicial complaint in the Clinton County Juvenile Court under R.C. 3111. Once parentage is established, the same case can allocate custody and set support.

How is paternity established in Clinton County, Ohio?

There are three routes. (1) Both parents sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity, filed centrally. (2) The Clinton County CSEA — (937) 382-5726 — establishes parentage administratively, including genetic testing. (3) A parent files a judicial Complaint for Parentage, Allocation & Parenting Time (Supreme Court Form 23 / Juvenile Form 2) in the Clinton County Juvenile Court at 46 S. South Street, Suite 333, Wilmington — (937) 382-2391. Once parentage is established, the same case can set custody, parenting time, and child support. Juvenile Court deposit amounts are not posted online, so confirm them at (937) 382-2391.

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: Clinton County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations)

46 South South Street, Suite 333, Wilmington, OH 45177, Wilmington, OH 45177
Phone: (937) 382-3640
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Website: www.clintoncountycourts.org/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Clinton County Juvenile Court
46 South South Street, Wilmington, OH 45177, Wilmington, OH 45177
Phone: (937) 382-2391
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Paternity is the right path if…

You and the other parent were never married and need a legal father established.
You want custody, parenting time, or child support, which require parentage first.
You need genetic testing to confirm or contest paternity.
Ohio is the child's home state under the UCCJEA (the child has lived here for the last 6 months).

Filing Fees

Administrative paternity through CSEA: no court filing fee · Judicial parentage action in Juvenile Court: deposit not posted online — confirm at (937) 382-2391 · Genetic testing: arranged through CSEA. Confirm current amounts at (937) 382-5726 or (937) 382-2391.

Forms & Filing Packets

Administrative paternity through CSEA — No court filing fee — handled administratively by CSEA

The Clinton County CSEA can establish parentage administratively — including genetic testing — often without a court hearing, and can set support in the same process.

Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court is being asked to set or modify support.

Judicial parentage action in Juvenile Court — Juvenile Court deposit not posted online — confirm at (937) 382-2391

File a Complaint for Parentage, Allocation & Parenting Time in the Clinton County Juvenile Court. The court can order genetic testing and then allocate custody, parenting time, and support.

Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights & Parenting Time (Supreme Court Form 23 / Juvenile Form 2) — The Juvenile Court complaint that establishes parentage and asks the court to allocate custody and parenting time for never-married parents. Confirm any local Juvenile packet at (937) 382-2391.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3 — UCCJEA, R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court is being asked to set or modify support.
Request for Service (Supreme Court Form 31 / Juvenile Form 10) — Tells the clerk how to serve the other party with your Juvenile Court complaint or motion.

How to File Paternity in Clinton County

Decide whether paternity is agreed or disputed. If both parents agree, an Acknowledgment of Paternity or a CSEA administrative order is the fastest path. If it is disputed, you will need genetic testing through CSEA or a judicial action.
Open a CSEA case or file in Juvenile Court. Contact the Clinton County CSEA at (937) 382-5726 for an administrative case, or file a Complaint for Parentage, Allocation & Parenting Time (Form 23 / Juvenile Form 2) in the Juvenile Court.
Complete genetic testing if ordered. When paternity is contested, the agency or court will order genetic testing before establishing the legal father.
Add custody, parenting time, and support. Once parentage is established, the same case can allocate custody and parenting time and set child support using the Ohio Child Support Worksheet.

Clinton County Practice Notes

Three ways to establish parentage. Under R.C. 3111, parentage is established by a signed Acknowledgment of Paternity, by a CSEA administrative order (often with genetic testing), or by a judicial complaint in Juvenile Court. An Acknowledgment becomes final and has the effect of a court order after the rescission period passes.
Parentage unlocks custody and support. Until parentage is established, the court cannot order custody, parenting time, or child support for unmarried parents. The Juvenile Court complaint (Supreme Court Form 23 / Juvenile Form 2) lets you establish parentage and ask for custody and parenting time in the same case.
CSEA can handle genetic testing. If paternity is disputed, the Clinton County CSEA — (937) 382-5726 — can arrange genetic testing as part of an administrative case, which is usually faster and less expensive than litigating it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is paternity established in Clinton County?: Under R.C. 3111, parentage can be established by a signed Acknowledgment of Paternity, by an administrative CSEA order (often with genetic testing and no court hearing), or by a judicial complaint in the Clinton County Juvenile Court (Complaint for Parentage, Allocation & Parenting Time). Once parentage is established, the same case can set custody, parenting time, and child support. The CSEA can be reached at (937) 382-5726.
When do I file in Juvenile Court instead of DR?: If the parents were never married, custody, parenting time, and child support are filed in the Clinton County Juvenile Court at 46 South South Street, Wilmington — phone (937) 382-2391. If you were married, those issues travel with the divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment in DR.
Who handles child support in Clinton County?: The Clinton County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), part of Clinton County Job & Family Services at 1025 S. South Street, Suite 400, Wilmington — (937) 382-5726 — establishes parentage and support orders administratively or judicially and processes payments through Ohio Child Support Payment Central (CSPC). CSEA also offers free administrative reviews, generally every 36 months or sooner on a 10%+ change in the guideline amount.
What is the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit and why do I need it?: Any Ohio custody case requires a Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3) under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127.23). It lists where each child has lived for the past five years and any other custody cases, and it confirms Ohio has jurisdiction. Ohio is usually the child's 'home state' if the child has lived here for at least the prior 6 months.
What parenting-time schedule does Clinton County use?: Clinton County publishes a Standard Parenting Schedule that the court uses as the default parenting-time order under the R.C. 3109.051 best-interest factors, unless the parents agree to their own schedule or the court orders something different in the child's best interest. The schedule is distributed with the county's domestic relations forms.

Free Local Resources in Clinton County

Clinton County Clerk of Courts. 46 South South Street, Wilmington, OH 45177. Phone (937) 382-2316. E-filing through efile.henschen.com.
Clinton County DR Local Rules (with form appendices). clintoncountycourts.org — DR forms are appendices to the local rules document.
Ohio Supreme Court Standardized Forms. Used for the complaint, affidavits, decree, parenting plans, and motions. Available at supremecourt.ohio.gov.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the worksheet and print it for filing.
Clinton County Law Library. 46 South South Street, Wilmington — (937) 382-2428.
Alternatives to Violence Center (Clinton County). 94 N. South Street, 3rd Floor, Suite D, Wilmington — Office (937) 383-3285 · 24-hour Crisis Line 1-888-816-1146.
Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — plain-language guides and form walkthroughs.

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.

Keep exploring

Ohio Paternity guide — Statewide overview of paternity in Ohio.
Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

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