Establishing Paternity in Pike County

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

Pike County, Ohio · Waverly

When parents are not married, parentage, custody, child support, and parenting time are decided in the combined Pike County Juvenile & Probate Court (Hon. Paul Price), 230 Waverly Plaza, Suite 600, Waverly. Establishing paternity is the legal foundation for a father's custody and parenting-time rights and for a child-support order.

How do I establish paternity in Pike County, Ohio?

File a Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights & Parenting Time in the Pike County Juvenile Court, 230 Waverly Plaza, Suite 600, Waverly; (740) 947-5914, with the UCCJEA Parenting Proceeding Affidavit. The complaint deposit is $128 (confirm the current amount). The court can order genetic testing if parentage is disputed and may appoint a Guardian ad Litem. The case ends with a Parenting Judgment Entry. Paternity can also be established by signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity or administratively through Pike County Job & Family Services (CSEA).

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: Pike County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

100 East Second Street, Waverly, OH 45690
Phone: (740) 947-2212
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk of Courts at (740) 947-2212 to confirm current hours)
Website: commonpleascourt.pikecounty.oh.gov/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Pike County Juvenile Court (Common Pleas, Juvenile Division)
230 Waverly Plaza, Suite 600, Waverly, OH 45690
Phone: (740) 947-5914
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–1:00 p.m. for lunch and on legal holidays)

Paternity is the right path if…

The parents were not married when the child was born.
You need to legally establish who the father is.
An unmarried father wants enforceable custody or parenting-time rights.
A parent needs a child-support order tied to established parentage.

Filing Fees

Signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity has no court fee · a Juvenile Court parentage complaint deposit is $128 · genetic testing may be ordered. Confirm current amounts with the Pike County Juvenile Court at (740) 947-5914 or Pike County Job & Family Services (CSEA).

Forms & Filing Packets

File a parentage complaint (disputed or you need orders) — Juvenile complaint deposit $128 — confirm with the court at (740) 947-5914

File the Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights & Parenting Time with the UCCJEA affidavit in the Juvenile Court. The court can order genetic testing and then set custody, parenting time, and support.

Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights & Parenting Time — The Juvenile Court complaint that establishes parentage and asks the court to name a residential parent and legal custodian and set parenting time 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, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody.
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.
Summons — Notifies the other parent of the case and the first hearing date.

Agreed paternity (acknowledgment or CSEA) — No court fee to sign an acknowledgment · Juvenile complaint deposit $128 if you need orders

When both parents agree, sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity or use CSEA. To then set custody and support, file the parentage complaint and a child-support worksheet in the Juvenile Court.

Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights & Parenting Time — The Juvenile Court complaint that establishes parentage and asks the court to name a residential parent and legal custodian and set parenting time when the parents were never married.
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.
Parenting Judgment Entry — The final order the Juvenile Court signs to allocate parental rights, parenting time, and support.

How to File Paternity in Pike County

Decide the route. If both parents agree, an Acknowledgment of Paternity or CSEA is simplest. If paternity is disputed or you need custody or support orders, file a parentage complaint.
Use CSEA for testing if needed. Pike County Job & Family Services (CSEA) can arrange genetic testing administratively before any court case.
File the parentage complaint. File the Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights & Parenting Time in the Juvenile Court with the UCCJEA affidavit and a support worksheet.
Confirm the deposit. The Juvenile Court deposit is $128 — confirm the current amount and ask about a fee waiver at (740) 947-5914.
Get the orders entered. After paternity is confirmed, the court allocates custody and parenting time and sets child support in the Parenting Judgment Entry.

Pike County Practice Notes

Paternity unlocks a father's rights. Without established paternity, an unmarried father cannot enforce custody or parenting time, and the mother has sole custody by default. Establishing paternity is the first step to any father's parenting order.
Juvenile Court filing deposit. The Pike County Juvenile Court charges a $128.00 deposit to file a custody/parentage complaint, a motion to reopen, or a child-support complaint. Confirm the current amount and accepted payment methods with the Juvenile Court at (740) 947-5914; an indigency (fee-waiver) form is available if you cannot afford the deposit.
Child support runs through Pike County Job & Family Services. Pike County's IV-D child-support program (CSEA) is administered through Pike County Job & Family Services. CSEA opens support cases, runs the Ohio worksheet, collects by wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. Confirm the current office address and phone with Pike County Job & Family Services, or use the ODJFS local-agency directory at jfs.ohio.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I establish paternity in Pike County?: File a Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights & Parenting Time in the Pike County Juvenile Court, 230 Waverly Plaza, Suite 600; (740) 947-5914, with the UCCJEA Parenting Proceeding Affidavit. The court can order genetic testing if parentage is disputed. The complaint deposit is $128. Paternity can also be established by signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity or administratively through Pike County Job & Family Services (CSEA).
How much does it cost to file in the Pike County Juvenile Court?: The Pike County Juvenile Court charges a $128.00 deposit to file a custody/parentage complaint, a motion to reopen, or a child-support complaint. Confirm the current amount and payment methods with the Juvenile Court at (740) 947-5914; an indigency (fee-waiver) form is available if you cannot afford the deposit.
Who handles child support enforcement in Pike County?: Pike County's IV-D child-support program (CSEA) is administered through Pike County Job & Family Services. CSEA opens support cases, runs the Ohio worksheet, collects support through wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. Confirm the current office address and phone with Pike County Job & Family Services or the ODJFS local-agency directory at jfs.ohio.gov.
Where do I find Pike County Juvenile Court forms?: The Pike County Juvenile Court publishes its own forms — including the parentage/custody complaint, parenting-time, child-support, contempt, and grandparent forms — at pikecountypjcourt.com (juvForms.php). Always confirm you have the current version before filing, and call the court at (740) 947-5914 with questions about which forms your case needs.

Free Local Resources in Pike County

Pike County Clerk of Courts (General Division / Domestic Relations). Pike County Courthouse, 100 East Second Street, Waverly, OH 45690; (740) 947-2212. Accepts all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and DV civil protection order filings — the General Division hears every domestic relations matter (there is no separate Domestic Relations court). The General Division's filing-fee deposits are not published online; call (740) 947-2212 to confirm the current deposit, accepted payment methods, and any local cover-sheet requirement before filing.
Pike County Juvenile & Probate Court. Pike County Government Center, 230 Waverly Plaza, Suite 600, Waverly, OH 45690. Juvenile (unmarried-parent custody, parentage, support, parenting time): (740) 947-5914, http://www.pikecountypjcourt.com/juvMain.php — the custody/support filing deposit is $128.00 (http://www.pikecountypjcourt.com/juvCosts.php). Probate (stepparent and kinship adoption): (740) 947-2560, http://www.pikecountypjcourt.com/prbMain.php. The Honorable Paul Price serves as Judge and Clerk of both divisions.
Parenting education (confirm before relying on it). Ohio law (R.C. 3109.053) lets the court order a parenting class when a case involves minor children. Pike County's program, provider, cost, and deadline are not published online — ask the General Division Clerk at (740) 947-2212 (divorce/dissolution) or Juvenile Court at (740) 947-5914 (unmarried parents) which provider is approved and the current cost before you register for any course.
Pike County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Pike County child-support services are administered through Pike County Job & Family Services. The Juvenile Court does not run child-support enforcement — confirm the current CSEA phone and address with the agency before relying on a number. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
Child abuse / neglect reporting. Statewide hotline 1-855-O-H-CHILD (1-855-642-4453), which routes to the county Children Services agency. Confirm the direct Pike County Children Services intake line locally.

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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