Establishing Paternity in Franklin County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 26, 2026

Franklin County, Ohio · Columbus

If the parents were not married when the child was born, Ohio law requires a separate step to legally establish a father. Franklin County paternity cases are filed at the Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street, or established administratively through CSEA. Once paternity is in place, custody, parenting time, and child support can follow.

How do I establish paternity in Franklin County, Ohio?

There are three Ohio paths. (1) Signed Acknowledgment of Paternity at the hospital or any CSEA office — fastest if both parents agree and no other man is presumed the father. (2) CSEA administrative order — Franklin County CSEA at (614) 525-3275 can order genetic testing and enter an administrative paternity order. (3) Court order — file a Complaint to Establish Parentage at the Franklin County Juvenile Branch, 399 South Front Street, Columbus, under R.C. 3111. The court can also allocate parental rights and set child support in the same case.

Hire a Franklin County paternity attorney at a flat fee

Most people searching for paternity in Franklin County want to know the price first. We answer with a flat fee — not an hourly estimate that balloons — plus financing and full-service representation when your case calls for it. Columbus court contacts, required forms, and local fee details for Franklin County are all covered further down this page.

One flat fee, agreed up front. We put the entire paternity price in writing first. Once you approve it, that's the fee — no meters running and nothing tacked on later.
Payments that fit your budget. Flexible payment plans and financing are available, so cost doesn't have to delay getting help.
Why Franklin County families choose us. With a flat fee there's no clock on every call or email — we're rewarded for resolving your Franklin County case, not prolonging it. Licensed Ohio family-law attorneys, statewide.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the parentage complaint to establish legal paternity — adding custody and parenting time if you need it. You appear at any hearings yourself.

Establish paternity (parentage complaint): $950
Paternity with custody & parenting time: $1,350

Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.

Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your paternity case or see payment plans & financing.

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: Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations

373 South High Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-4410
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Website: Court website
e-Filing: Online e-filing portal

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Juvenile Branch
399 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-4411
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Paternity is the right path if…

You and the other parent were not married when the child was born.
There is no Acknowledgment of Paternity on file, or it was rescinded.
You need a court order for custody, parenting time, or child support — which requires established paternity first.
Genetic testing is needed because one party disputes biological parentage.

Filing Fees

~$100-$150 Juvenile deposit · Acknowledgment of Paternity: free · CSEA administrative path: free

Forms & Filing Packets

Court petition packet (Juvenile Branch)

Filed at 399 South Front Street when there is any dispute, when the alleged father is unreachable, or when you also want custody and support orders in the same filing.

Complaint to Establish Parentage / Paternity (Franklin Juv. Form 1) — Opens a parentage case at the Franklin County Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street, asking the court to legally declare a father and (typically) allocate parental rights and set child support.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's jurisdiction over custody.
Copy of your driver's license or state ID — Front and back. If e-filing, upload as PDF with your packet.

Custody and child-support add-on

Add to your parentage complaint to allocate parental rights and set support in the same case.

Complaint for Allocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities — Asks the Franklin Juvenile Branch to designate a residential parent and legal custodian and set a parenting time schedule when parents were never married.
Motion / Complaint for Child Support (Juvenile) — Asks the Franklin Juvenile Branch to set a child-support order under the Ohio 2024 Income Shares Model. Often filed jointly with a paternity or custody complaint.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet — Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you're asking the court to set support.
Health Insurance Affidavit — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.
IV-D Application for Child Support Services — Opens your case with Franklin County CSEA so support can be collected, tracked, and enforced through wage withholding.

How to File Paternity in Franklin County

Confirm Ohio is the child's home state under the UCCJEA. Generally, the child must have lived in Ohio for the last 6 months.
Try the fastest path first. If both parents agree and no other man is presumed the father, sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity at any CSEA office. It's free and final after 60 days.
Use CSEA's administrative path if needed. Franklin County CSEA at (614) 525-3275 can order genetic testing and enter an administrative paternity order. Either party can object within 30 days.
File the court petition when contested or when you need custody / support orders. Complaint to Establish Parentage at the Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street. Add custody and support claims in the same case to avoid duplicative filings.
Attend the genetic-testing appointment and the hearing. Testing is scheduled within 30-60 days. Hearing follows once results are filed. Paternity is established by court order; custody and support follow.

Franklin County Practice Notes

Genetic testing. Either party can request genetic testing. The court (or CSEA) will order the parties and child to a designated lab. Tests run 99%+ accurate. If the alleged father is excluded, the case is dismissed.
Rescinding an Acknowledgment. A signed Acknowledgment of Paternity can be rescinded within 60 days, or challenged in court within 1 year on grounds of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact (R.C. 3111.27).
Presumption of paternity. A man married to the mother at the child's birth (or within 300 days before) is presumed the father. An Acknowledgment will be rejected if there's an unrebutted presumption — you need a court action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Franklin County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months immediately before filing, and a Franklin County resident for at least 90 days. For dissolution, only the 6-month Ohio residency applies — there is no separate Franklin County residency requirement. For juvenile-branch cases (paternity, never-married custody, child support), Ohio must be the children's 'home state' under the UCCJEA, which generally means the children have lived in Ohio for the last 6 months.
How much does it cost to file in Franklin County DR?: Approximate deposits: divorce or legal separation $300 without children / $350 with children; dissolution $250 without children / $300 with children; annulment $300/$350. Juvenile Branch filings for custody or support under ORC 2151.233 (paternity, never-married custody, child support, and modifications) are $175. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at 373 South High Street (DR) or 399 South Front Street (Juvenile) before filing.
How long does the case usually take?: Dissolution: 30-90 days from filing to the final hearing. Uncontested divorce or legal separation: 4-6 months. Contested divorce: 6-18 months depending on temporary-orders activity and the Magistrate's calendar. Paternity: 60-120 days if uncontested, longer if genetic testing or contested allocation is involved. Civil Protection Orders: ex parte order the same day; full hearing within 7-10 days; final order can last up to 5 years.
How do I know whether to file in DR or the Juvenile Branch?: If you are married to the other parent (or the parties were married when the children were born), custody, parenting time, and child support travel with the divorce / dissolution / legal separation / annulment in DR at 373 South High Street. If you were never married, paternity and custody go to the Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street. Grandparent / non-parent custody is always Juvenile. Civil Protection Orders against a current/former intimate partner or family member go to DR.
What does Franklin County CSEA do?: The Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency at (614) 525-3275 opens IV-D cases, runs the Ohio Income Shares calculation, collects support by wage withholding, distributes it to the receiving parent, and enforces orders (license suspension, contempt referrals, federal tax intercept). Filing an IV-D Application is standard whenever a child-support order is issued.
Will my case be heard by a Judge or a Magistrate?: Most pretrial conferences, temporary-orders motions, and even contested final hearings in Franklin DR are heard by a Magistrate. The Magistrate issues a Magistrate's Decision; either party then has 14 days to file Objections, which are decided by the assigned Judge. Civil Protection Order full hearings are heard directly by the assigned Judge.
Are remote / Zoom hearings available?: Yes — Franklin DR and the Juvenile Branch both offer Zoom and telephonic hearings on motion. Most pretrial conferences, status conferences, and uncontested final hearings can be held remotely if both parties agree and the assigned Magistrate or Judge approves. Civil Protection Order full hearings are usually in person.

Free Local Resources in Franklin County

Franklin County DR Self-Help Resource Center. 373 South High Street. Forms, computer terminals, limited procedural help. Cannot give legal advice. Mon–Fri during court hours.
Legal Aid Society of Columbus. (614) 241-2001. Income-qualified family law representation and advice clinics across central Ohio.
Columbus Bar Lawyer Referral Service. (614) 221-0754. Paid 30-minute consultation referrals to vetted Franklin County family-law attorneys.
Franklin County CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency). (614) 525-3275. Opens IV-D cases and collects/distributes child support through wage withholding.
Franklin County Juvenile Branch Help Center. 399 South Front Street. Procedural help for self-represented filers on never-married custody, paternity, and support cases.

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.

More Franklin County family-law resources

Ohio Paternity guide — Statewide overview of paternity in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
Franklin County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Franklin County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

Call (380) 205-3899 or email support@gavvl.com.