Establishing Paternity in Erie County
Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated May 27, 2026
Erie County, Ohio · Sandusky
Paternity (legal parentage) gives a child two legal parents and is the gateway to custody, parenting time, and child support for never-married parents. In Erie County, paternity is established in the Erie County Juvenile Court on the 4th Floor of 323 Columbus Avenue in Sandusky, in front of Hon. Robert C. DeLamatre — main line (419) 627-7782. You open the case with Erie's local Complaint for Parentage; if either party disputes parentage, the court can order genetic testing.
How do I establish paternity in Erie County, Ohio?
File Erie's local Complaint for Parentage in the Erie County Juvenile Court (4th Floor, 323 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky), along with the local Parenting Proceeding Affidavit and Affidavit of Income and Expenses. The paternity filing fee is $50. If parentage is disputed, the court can order genetic testing. Once parentage is established, the same case can set custody, parenting time, and child support. Confirm fees with the Juvenile Court at (419) 627-7782. Court costs can be paid online through PayGov.
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: Erie County Court of Common Pleas — General Division (Domestic Relations)
323 Columbus Avenue, 2nd Floor, Sandusky, OH 44870, Sandusky, OH 44870Phone: (419) 627-7732
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Website: www.eriecounty.oh.gov/DomesticRelations.aspx
Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)
Erie County Juvenile Court
323 Columbus Avenue, 4th Floor, Sandusky, OH 44870, Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: (419) 627-7782
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Paternity is the right path if…
- The parents were never married and you need to legally establish who the father is.
- You want to pursue custody, parenting time, or child support but parentage hasn't been established yet.
- Parentage is disputed and you need the court to order genetic testing.
- Ohio is the child's home state under the UCCJEA — the child has lived in Ohio for the last 6 months.
Filing Fees
Erie County Juvenile Court: paternity (Complaint for Parentage) $50 · custody/visitation complaint $65 · support complaint $35 · contempt $20. Genetic testing may be ordered if parentage is disputed. Confirm current amounts with the Juvenile Court at (419) 627-7782. Court costs can be paid online through PayGov.
Forms & Filing Packets
Establishing parentage (Erie County Juvenile Court) — $50 paternity complaint
Filed at the Erie County Juvenile Court, 4th Floor, 323 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky (Hon. Robert C. DeLamatre). Erie's local Complaint for Parentage opens the case and establishes the legal parent-child relationship.
- Complaint for Parentage (Erie Juvenile local) — Erie Juvenile Court's local complaint that establishes parentage and opens a custody, parenting-time, and child-support case for never-married parents.
- Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Erie Juvenile local) — Erie Juvenile Court's local UCCJEA affidavit — lists where each child has lived and confirms Ohio's jurisdiction. Filed with the Complaint for Parentage.
- Affidavit of Income and Expenses (Erie Juvenile local) — Erie Juvenile Court's local financial affidavit — required whenever the court is asked to set or change child support.
Paternity plus custody, parenting time, and support — $50 paternity complaint (custody/visitation $65 · support $35 if filed separately)
Once parentage is established, the same case can allocate custody and parenting time and set child support. Erie's Standard Order of Visitation applies unless the parents agree to a different plan.
- Complaint for Parentage (Erie Juvenile local) — Erie Juvenile Court's local complaint that establishes parentage and opens a custody, parenting-time, and child-support case for never-married parents.
- Standard Order of Visitation (Erie Juvenile local) — Erie Juvenile Court's pre-set parenting-time schedule — applies unless the parents agree to a different plan.
- Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign.
How to File Paternity in Erie County
- File Erie's local Complaint for Parentage. Open the case in the Erie County Juvenile Court, 4th Floor of 323 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, using Erie's local Complaint for Parentage. The filing fee is $50.
- Add the supporting affidavits. File the local Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA — confirms Ohio's jurisdiction) and the Affidavit of Income and Expenses with the complaint.
- Complete genetic testing if parentage is disputed. If either party disputes parentage, the court can order genetic testing before entering a parentage judgment.
- Address 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 Computation Worksheet. Court costs can be paid online through PayGov.
Erie County Practice Notes
- Paternity is the gateway to custody and support. Until parentage is legally established, the Erie County Juvenile Court cannot order custody, parenting time, or child support for never-married parents. Filing Erie's local Complaint for Parentage opens that door, and the same case can then address all three.
- Genetic testing when parentage is disputed. If either party disputes parentage, the court can order genetic testing before entering a parentage judgment. An Acknowledgment of Paternity signed at birth or a prior court judgment can also establish parentage without a new contest.
- Erie publishes its own juvenile forms. Use Erie's local Complaint for Parentage, Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, and Affidavit of Income and Expenses rather than the Ohio SC versions when filing a paternity case in the Erie County Juvenile Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When do I file in Erie County Juvenile Court instead of General Division?
- If the parents were never married, custody, parenting time, child support, and paternity are filed in Erie County Juvenile Court (4th Floor of the same Courthouse) in front of Hon. Robert C. DeLamatre. If you were married, those issues travel with the divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment in the General Division (2nd Floor).
- What are the Erie County Juvenile Court filing fees?
- Erie's juvenile filing fees are among the lowest in Ohio: Paternity Complaint $50, Custody/Visitation Complaint $65, Support Complaint $35, Change of Custody $65, Modify Visitation/Support $35, Contempt $20, Miscellaneous Motions $20, Subpoena (per person) $25, Recording Fee $5, Publication Fee $200, Copies $0.10/page, Certified Copies $1.00 each, CD Hearing Audio $3.00. CPO petitions have no filing fee.
- Does Erie Juvenile Court have its own local forms?
- Yes, and they are unusually complete. Erie publishes its own Complaint for Parentage, Motion for Change of Custody (with memorandum in support), Motion for Change of Parenting Time, Motion for Change of Child Support, Motion for Contempt and Affidavit, Show Cause Order, Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, Affidavit of Income and Expenses, Request for Service, Affidavit of Indigency, Waiver of Counsel, Caregiver Form, and both Standard Order of Visitation and Standard Long-Distance Visitation Schedule. Use these Erie locals — not the Ohio SC versions — when filing in juvenile court.
- Where does the Erie County Juvenile Court operate?
- Three separate locations: (1) the Courthouse at 323 Columbus Avenue, 4th Floor, Sandusky — for hearings and filings; (2) the Juvenile Justice Center at 1338 Tiffin Avenue, Sandusky — a 24-hour facility combining Juvenile Detention and the Northern Ohio Juvenile Community Corrections Facility; and (3) the Probation/Mediation/Diversion Offices at 221 West Parish Street, Sandusky. Hon. Robert C. DeLamatre presides. Main line (419) 627-7782.
- What are the residency requirements to file in Erie County?
- For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Erie County for at least 90 days before filing. Dissolution only requires the 6-month Ohio residency.
- Can I pay court costs online?
- Yes — Erie County uses PayGov for online court-cost payments. Civil, criminal, and domestic cases can all be paid through pay.paygov.us. You will need your case number to look up the balance.
- Can I bring my cell phone to the Erie County Courthouse?
- No. Cell phones are NOT permitted inside the Erie County Courthouse, and everyone entering the building is screened by the Sheriff's Department. Plan to leave your phone in your car. Print every document you need in advance — you will not be able to pull anything up on your phone in the courtroom.
Free Local Resources in Erie County
- Erie County DR Division. 323 Columbus Avenue, 2nd Floor, Sandusky, OH 44870. Phone (419) 627-7732. Toll-free 1 (888) 399-6065. Hon. Judge Binette presides (General Division).
- DR Assignment Commissioner — Amanda Tubbs. Direct line (419) 627-7777. Handles all DR scheduling and coordination.
- Erie County Clerk of Courts. 323 Columbus Avenue, 1st Floor, Sandusky, OH 44870. Phone (419) 627-7732.
- Erie County DR Forms Hub. eriecounty.oh.gov/FormsforDomesticRelations.aspx — local Application/Instructions packet, Affidavit of Indigency, DR Injunctions JE, Voluntary Dismissal, and more.
- Erie County DR Local Rules (PDF, 2025). eriecounty.oh.gov/Downloads/DR_RULES20253.pdf — current as of 2025.
- PayGov — Pay Court Costs Online. pay.paygov.us — civil, criminal, and domestic case court costs.
- Public Case Search. clerkofcourts.eriecounty.oh.gov/eservices/home.page.2 — public docket search.
- Erie County Juvenile Court. 323 Columbus Avenue, 4th Floor, Sandusky. Phone (419) 627-7782. Hon. Robert C. DeLamatre.
- Erie County Juvenile Justice Center. 1338 Tiffin Avenue, Sandusky — 24-hour Juvenile Detention + Northern Ohio Juvenile Community Corrections.
- Juvenile Probation / Mediation / Diversion. 221 West Parish Street, Sandusky. Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
- Legal Aid Line of Western Ohio. 1-888-534-1432 · legalaidline.org — free civil legal help.
- Erie County Bar Association. Phone (419) 627-2009 — lawyer referral.
- Erie County Public Defender. Phone (419) 627-6620.
- Safe Harbour. Domestic violence assistance — contact Erie County Prosecutor's Office for connection.
- Ohio Supreme Court Standardized Forms. supremecourt.ohio.gov — Erie DR uses Ohio SC standardized forms alongside Erie locals.
- Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the worksheet and print it for filing.
- Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — plain-language guides and interactive court forms.
Other Family-Law Topics in Erie County
- Erie County Dissolution — Joint petition — fee deposit set by Clerk's Schedule of Costs. Final hearing 30-90 days after filing. Both spouses must attend.
- Erie County Divorce — General Division (Judge Binette). 42-day waiting period. Erie's local Application packet and DR Injunctions JE required at filing.
- Erie County Divorce With Children — Add Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, Health Insurance Affidavit, child support worksheet, and a parenting plan.
- Erie County Legal Separation — Same mandatory initial pleadings as divorce. Erie does not publish a separate form — use Ohio SC Complaint with the caption changed.
- Erie County Annulment — Limited R.C. 3105.31 grounds. Use the Ohio SC divorce Complaint with the caption changed.
- Erie County Post-Decree Modifications — Ohio SC Forms 26, 27, and 28. Schedule through DR Commissioner Amanda Tubbs.
- Erie County Post-Decree Contempt — Ohio SC Forms 24 and 25 in DR; Erie local Motion for Contempt and Show Cause in Juvenile Court ($20).
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.
- Medina family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Medina 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.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
