Establishing Paternity in Jackson County

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

Jackson County, Ohio

Establishing paternity (parentage) gives a child a legal father and opens the door to custody, parenting time, child support, and benefits. For unmarried parents in Jackson County, parentage and the allocation of parental rights are handled in the Probate & Juvenile Division — not the divorce court. You can establish parentage by a signed Acknowledgment, through the Jackson County CSEA administratively, or by filing a complaint in the Juvenile Division.

How do I establish paternity in Jackson County, Ohio?

There are three routes. Both parents can sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity at the hospital or through the CSEA. The Jackson County CSEA, (740) 286-4181 (option 3), can establish parentage administratively, including ordering genetic testing. Or you can file a Complaint for Parentage and Allocation of Parental Rights in the Probate & Juvenile Division (350 Portsmouth Street) using the court's parentage packet — this also lets you ask for custody, parenting time, and support in the same case. Genetic testing is available when parentage is disputed. The Juvenile deposit is not published; call (740) 286-6405 and ask about the Fee Waiver.

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: Jackson County Court of Common Pleas, General Division (Domestic Relations)

226 East Main Street, Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-2006
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Website: www.jacksoncountyohio.us/elected-officials/common-pleas-court/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Jackson County Court of Common Pleas, Probate & Juvenile Division
350 Portsmouth Street #101, Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-6405
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Paternity is the right path if…

You are an unmarried parent (or alleged parent) who needs to legally establish who a child's father is.
You want to open custody, parenting time, or child support, which require parentage first.
You are willing to file in the Probate & Juvenile Division or work through the Jackson County CSEA.
You can participate in genetic testing if parentage is disputed.

Filing Fees

A parentage complaint is filed in the Probate & Juvenile Division (deposit not published — call (740) 286-6405) · the Jackson County CSEA, (740) 286-4181 (option 3), can establish parentage administratively, including genetic testing · the Fee Waiver is available if you cannot afford the deposit. Filing fees and local procedures change — always confirm the current amount and requirements with the Jackson County Clerk of Courts at (740) 286-2006 (General Division) or the Probate & Juvenile Division at (740) 286-6405 before you file.

Forms & Filing Packets

File a parentage complaint in the Juvenile Division — Juvenile deposit not published — call (740) 286-6405 and ask about the Fee Waiver

Use the court's Complaint for Parentage & Allocation of Parental Rights packet to establish paternity and, in the same case, ask for custody, parenting time, and support.

Complaint for Parentage & Allocation of Parental Rights Packet (with Motion for Temporary Orders) — The Juvenile Division packet for unmarried parents to establish paternity and/or allocate parental rights, with the option to request temporary orders.
Complaint for Allocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Ohio SC Form 23) — Asks the Juvenile Branch to name a residential parent and legal custodian and set a parenting-time schedule when the parents were never married.
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.
Juvenile Financial Disclosure Form — Income and expense disclosure used in Juvenile support and custody matters.

Establish parentage through the CSEA — No court filing — contact the Jackson County CSEA, (740) 286-4181 (option 3)

The Jackson County CSEA can establish parentage administratively (including genetic testing) and set support without a court filing.

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.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.

How to File Paternity in Jackson County

Choose your route. If both parents agree, sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity or work through the CSEA; if parentage is disputed, plan for genetic testing or a Juvenile complaint.
Prepare the parentage packet. Use the Probate & Juvenile Division's Complaint for Parentage & Allocation of Parental Rights packet, and complete the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit.
File or contact the CSEA. File at 350 Portsmouth Street #101 (call (740) 286-6405 about the deposit and Fee Waiver), or contact the Jackson County CSEA at (740) 286-4181 (option 3).
Resolve parentage, then custody and support. Complete genetic testing if needed; once parentage is established, the court can set custody, parenting time, and support.

Jackson County Practice Notes

Parentage is the gateway to everything else. Custody, parenting time, and child support for unmarried parents cannot be set until parentage is established. Filing the Juvenile parentage packet lets you establish parentage and request those orders in one case.
Juvenile timelines differ from the divorce court. Private custody, support, and paternity files are handled by deputy clerk Suzi Cales in the Probate & Juvenile Division. Objections to a Magistrate's decision are due in 14 days, and an appeal of a Magistrate's order is due in 10 days (Juvenile Local Rule 18; Juv. R. 40(C)(3)).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I establish paternity in Jackson County?: You can sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity, ask the Jackson County CSEA ((740) 286-4181, option 3) to establish parentage administratively (including genetic testing), or file a Complaint for Parentage & Allocation of Parental Rights in the Probate & Juvenile Division using the court's parentage packet. Establishing parentage opens custody, parenting time, and support.
Do I file in the General Division or the Juvenile Division in Jackson County?: If you were married to the other parent, custody and support are handled in the General Division inside the divorce, dissolution, or legal separation. If you were never married, custody, parenting time, support, and paternity are handled in the Probate & Juvenile Division (350 Portsmouth Street), (740) 286-6405.
How do I contact the Jackson County child-support agency?: The Jackson County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), part of Jackson County Job & Family Services, can be reached at (740) 286-4181 (option 3). It administers and enforces support orders and can open a IV-D case to set or collect support.
How much does it cost to file in the Jackson County Juvenile Division?: The Probate & Juvenile Division does not publish a flat filing fee. Call (740) 286-6405 to ask about the current deposit, and ask about the Fee Waiver if you cannot afford it.
How long do I have to object to a magistrate's decision in the Jackson County Juvenile Division?: Objections to a Magistrate's decision are due in 14 days, and an appeal of a Magistrate's order is due in 10 days (Juvenile Local Rule 18; Juv. R. 40(C)(3)). Private custody, support, and paternity files are handled by deputy clerk Suzi Cales.

Free Local Resources in Jackson County

Jackson County Clerk of Courts (Seth I. Michael). 226 East Main Street #9, 3rd Floor, Jackson, OH 45640; (740) 286-2006. Files all General Division domestic-relations cases and hosts the DR forms page (jcclerk.com/page3.html) with the divorce, dissolution, and fee-waiver packets. Online records and e-filing registration are at jcclerk.com/page2.html (self-represented filers may use e-filing but are not required to — Local Rule 3.1). Accepts cash, check, credit card, or money order.
Jackson County Probate & Juvenile Division. 350 Portsmouth Street #101, Jackson, OH 45640; (740) 286-6405 (jcjuvenilecourt.com). Hears never-married parentage and custody, non-parent custody, and companionship; the local forms page is jcjuvenilecourt.com/forms/ and the Visitation Guidelines set the default parenting-time schedule.
Jackson County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Under Jackson County Job & Family Services, 25 E. South Street, Jackson, OH 45640; (740) 286-4181, Option 3 (jacksoncountyjfs.org). Opens IV-D cases, sets and collects support by wage withholding, and can establish paternity administratively through a Genetic Test/Administrative Order.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself before filing so you know the likely support amount.

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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