Establishing Paternity in Ottawa County

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

Ottawa County, Ohio · Port Clinton

For parents who were never married, legal fatherhood (parentage) is established in Ottawa County through an Acknowledgment of Paternity, administratively through the Ottawa County CSEA, or by a parentage action in the Probate & Juvenile Court at 315 Madison St., Port Clinton. Establishing parentage opens the door to custody, parenting time, and child support.

How do I establish paternity in Ottawa County, Ohio?

There are three paths. Parents can sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity (often at the hospital or through CSEA), which has the effect of a court order once final; the Ottawa County CSEA can establish parentage administratively and order genetic testing; or you can file a Complaint to Establish Parentage in the Ottawa County Probate & Juvenile Court ($150 deposit). The court may order genetic testing and then allocate custody and parenting time and set support on the Ohio guidelines. Until parentage is established, an unmarried mother is the sole residential parent and legal custodian by law.

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: Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

315 Madison Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452
Phone: (419) 734-6790
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current hours with the court)
Website: www.ottawacocpcourt.com/domestic-relations/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Ottawa County Probate & Juvenile Court (Juvenile Division)
315 Madison Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452
Phone: (419) 734-6840
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)

Paternity is the right path if…

You and the other parent were never married to each other.
You need legal fatherhood established before custody, parenting time, or support can be ordered.
You want genetic testing to confirm or rule out paternity.
You want to open a CSEA case so support can be collected and enforced.

Filing Fees

$150 Juvenile deposit · genetic testing as ordered · the administrative CSEA route can establish parentage without a court filing — confirm current amounts with the Juvenile Division at (419) 734-6840

Forms & Filing Packets

Parentage action in the Probate & Juvenile Court — $150 Juvenile deposit

File the Complaint to Establish Parentage with the UCCJEA Parenting Proceeding Affidavit and a Request for Service. The court may order genetic testing and then allocate custody and set support.

Complaint to Establish Parentage / Allocate Parental Rights (Ottawa County Juvenile) — Opens a Juvenile Court case for never-married parents to establish parentage and ask the court to name a residential parent and set parenting time and support.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA, Ottawa County Juvenile) — Lists where each child has lived for the last five years, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody. Required in any case with minor children.
Request for Service (Ottawa County Juvenile) — Tells the Juvenile Court how to serve the other parent with the complaint or motion.

Administrative parentage through CSEA

Ask the Ottawa County CSEA to establish parentage and order genetic testing administratively. This can resolve fatherhood without a court filing; confirm the agency's current contact information first.

Complaint to Establish Parentage / Allocate Parental Rights (Ottawa County Juvenile) — Opens a Juvenile Court case for never-married parents to establish parentage and ask the court to name a residential parent and set parenting time and support.

Add custody and support once parentage is established

Run the Ohio child-support worksheet and file the Income & Expenses and Health Insurance affidavits so the court can set support and medical coverage.

Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ottawa County Juvenile) — The Juvenile Court's sworn income and expense disclosure used to set child support.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ottawa County Juvenile) — 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 Ottawa County

Choose your route. Decide between signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity, asking the Ottawa County CSEA to establish parentage administratively, or filing a parentage action in the Probate & Juvenile Court.
File the parentage complaint. If filing in court, complete the Complaint to Establish Parentage with the UCCJEA affidavit and a Request for Service, and pay the $150 deposit.
Complete genetic testing if ordered. The court or CSEA can order genetic testing to confirm or rule out paternity before entering an order.
Set custody, parenting time, and support. Once parentage is established, run the Ohio worksheet and file the income and health-insurance affidavits so the court can allocate custody and order support.

Ottawa County Practice Notes

Parentage comes before custody and support. Until parentage is legally established, an unmarried mother is the sole residential parent and legal custodian under R.C. 3109.042, and a father has no enforceable custody or parenting-time rights. Establishing parentage — by acknowledgment, administratively through CSEA, or by a Juvenile Court complaint — is the step that lets the court order custody, parenting time, and support.
CSEA can establish parentage administratively. The Ottawa County CSEA can establish parentage and order genetic testing without a court filing. The court skill does not publish a current CSEA address, phone, or website, so confirm the agency's contact information with the Clerk or the county before relying on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I establish paternity in Ottawa County?: For never-married parents there are three routes. Parents can sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity (often at the hospital or through CSEA), which has the effect of a court order once final; the Ottawa County CSEA can establish parentage administratively and order genetic testing; or you can file a Complaint to Establish Parentage in the Probate & Juvenile Court at 315 Madison St., Port Clinton. Establishing parentage is the step that lets the court order custody, parenting time, and child support.
What does the Ottawa County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) do?: The Ottawa County CSEA establishes, modifies, collects, and enforces child support, and can establish parentage administratively and order genetic testing. Once support is ordered, CSEA collects it by automatic wage withholding and can enforce it through license suspension, tax intercept, and contempt referrals. The court skill does not publish a current CSEA address, phone, or website, so confirm the agency's current contact information with the Clerk or the county before you rely on it.
Do I file in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Ottawa County?: It depends on whether you were married to the other parent. If you are or were married, custody, parenting time, and support are decided in your divorce, dissolution, or legal separation in the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas, 315 Madison St., Port Clinton ((419) 734-6790, Judge Bruce Winters). If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and support are handled in the combined Probate & Juvenile Court at the same address ((419) 734-6840, Judge Frederick C. Hany II). Non-parent (grandparent or relative) custody is always filed in the Juvenile Division.
How much does it cost to file a Juvenile Court case in Ottawa County?: The Probate & Juvenile Court charges a $150 deposit to file a custody, parenting-time (visitation), or support case. A consent judgment entry is about $50, a post-disposition motion is about $35, and a contempt citation is about $38. A Guardian ad Litem deposit is $1,200 plus 2%, an application for appointed counsel is $25, and mediation is $25 per party ($60 if you fail to appear). Confirm current amounts with the Juvenile Division at (419) 734-6840.

Free Local Resources in Ottawa County

Ottawa County Clerk of Courts (Common Pleas / Domestic Relations). 315 Madison St., Room 106B, Port Clinton, OH 43452. Phone (419) 734-6755; filings email cpclerksfilings@co.ottawa.oh.us; website https://ottawacountyclerkofcourts.com/. The Clerk accepts divorce, dissolution, legal-separation, annulment, and protection-order filings and confirms current deposits. Court staff cannot give legal advice.
Ottawa County Probate & Juvenile Court (Judge Frederick C. Hany II). 315 Madison St., Port Clinton, OH 43452. Juvenile Division (419) 734-6840; Probate Division (419) 734-6830; website https://www.ocpjcourt.com/. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents and non-parent custody, plus adoptions. Hours Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed noon–1:00 PM).
Ottawa County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). The county CSEA establishes, modifies, collects, and enforces child support and can establish parentage administratively. The court skill does not publish a current CSEA address, phone, or website — confirm the agency's current contact information with the Clerk or the county before relying on it.
Parenting / coparenting education. Parents of minor children in a Domestic Relations case are generally expected to complete a parenting-education (coparenting) program. The court skill does not publish a current provider, format, or cost — confirm the required class, deadline, and fee with the Domestic Relations Division before filing.

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.

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Ohio Paternity guide — Statewide overview of paternity in Ohio.
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