Establishing Paternity in Mahoning County

Mahoning County, Ohio · Youngstown

Paternity (parentage) is established in the Mahoning County Juvenile Division at 300 East Scott Street, Youngstown, before Judge Theresa Dellick. A legal finding of fatherhood unlocks custody, parenting time, and child support — and is required before the court can allocate parental rights for never-married parents.

How do I establish paternity in Mahoning County, Ohio?

File a Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities and Parenting Time (Ohio uniform Form 23) in the Mahoning County Juvenile Division at 300 East Scott Street, Youngstown, (330) 740-2278 — or sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity through the CSEA. If parentage is disputed, the court or CSEA orders genetic testing, which is 99%+ accurate. Ohio must be the child's home state under the UCCJEA, and once parentage is established the same action can allocate custody, parenting time, and child support.

Where to File: Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

120 Market Street, Youngstown, OH 44503, Youngstown, OH 44503
Phone: (330) 740-2100
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Website: www.mahoningcountyoh.gov/699/Domestic-Relations-Court

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division
300 East Scott Street, Youngstown, OH 44505, Youngstown, OH 44505
Phone: (330) 740-2278
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Paternity is the right path if…

The parents were not married when the child was born and no father is legally established.
You need a legal father named before custody, parenting time, or support can be ordered.
Paternity is disputed and you need genetic testing.
You want to set up child support through CSEA after parentage is confirmed.

Filing Fees

Non-divorce custody/parentage filing $100 · Genetic testing ordered when disputed · Parenting Proceeding Affidavit required

Forms & Filing Packets

Establish parentage in the Juvenile Division

Complaint to Establish Parentage / Paternity — Opens a parentage case at the Mahoning County Juvenile Branch under R.C. 3111, 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.

Disputed paternity — genetic testing

When parentage is contested, the court or CSEA orders the parties and child to a designated lab. Tests run 99%+ accurate; if the alleged father is excluded, the case is dismissed.

Complaint to Establish Parentage / Paternity — Opens a parentage case at the Mahoning County Juvenile Branch under R.C. 3111, asking the court to legally declare a father and (typically) allocate parental rights and set child support.
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.

How to File Paternity in Mahoning County

File a parentage complaint or sign an Acknowledgment. File the Ohio uniform Form 23 complaint in the Juvenile Division, or sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity through the CSEA if both parents agree.
Request genetic testing if disputed. Ask the court or CSEA to order DNA testing. The lab compares samples from the parties and child at 99%+ accuracy.
Confirm Ohio is the child's home state. The Parenting Proceeding Affidavit confirms UCCJEA jurisdiction for the parentage and custody action.
Move on to custody and support. Once parentage is established, the Juvenile Division can allocate parental rights and set a support order.

Mahoning 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 and the Ohio Department of Health updates the birth record.
Acknowledgment of Paternity timeline. A signed Acknowledgment of Paternity can be rescinded within 60 days of the last signature through the CSEA. After 60 days you must challenge it in court within 1 year on grounds of fraud, duress, or material mistake (R.C. 3111.27).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I file in the Domestic Relations or Juvenile Division in Mahoning County?: Mahoning County runs two separate courts. The Domestic Relations Division (120 Market Street, Youngstown) handles divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and the custody, parenting time, and support that travel with them for married or divorcing parents. The separate Juvenile Division (300 East Scott Street, Youngstown, Judge Theresa Dellick, (330) 740-2278) handles paternity and custody for never-married parents, and grandparent / non-parent custody.
Can I rescind an Acknowledgment of Paternity in Ohio?: A signed Acknowledgment of Paternity can be rescinded within 60 days of the last signature by contacting your local Child Support Enforcement Agency and completing a Request for Paternity Determination. After 60 days you must challenge the acknowledgment in court within 1 year on grounds of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact (R.C. 3111.27). Genetic testing is typically ordered, and the Ohio Department of Health updates the birth record if the alleged father is excluded.
What does Mahoning County CSEA do?: The Mahoning County Child Support Enforcement Agency opens IV-D cases, runs the Ohio Income Shares calculation, collects support by wage withholding, distributes it to the receiving parent, and enforces orders through license suspension, tax intercept, and contempt referrals. Reach the CSEA at 345 Oak Hill Avenue, Entrance D, Youngstown, OH 44502, (330) 740-2073. Payment questions go to Ohio Child Support Payments at 1-800-860-2555.
What is a IV-D application and why do I need one?: A IV-D Application opens a child-support case with your county's Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Once opened, CSEA collects support through automatic wage withholding, distributes it to the receiving parent, and can enforce the order through license suspension, federal tax intercept, credit reporting, and contempt referrals. Filing a IV-D Application is standard whenever a child-support order is issued.

Free Local Resources in Mahoning County

Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court. Local forms, local rules, and filing information for divorce, dissolution, custody, support, and protection orders at mahoningcountyoh.gov/699/Domestic-Relations-Court. Court staff cannot give legal advice or help complete forms.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. The state's official 2024 Income Shares worksheet at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov. Run it, print, and sign it before any hearing that sets or changes support.
Children in Between (online parenting class). An approved online parenting class for parents of minor children, completed before the final hearing. The Certificate of Completion is filed with the court.
Community Legal Aid Services. Free civil legal help for income-eligible residents of Mahoning County and northeast Ohio. Intake line 1-800-998-9454.

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.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron 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 +1-844-694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.