Establishing Paternity in Portage County

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

Portage County, Ohio · Ravenna

Establishing paternity legally names a child's father, which is the gateway to custody, parenting time, and child support. In Portage County, parentage cases for unmarried parents are heard in the Domestic Relations Court — not the Juvenile Court the way most Ohio counties handle them. You can also establish paternity by a signed acknowledgment or through the CSEA.

How do I establish paternity in Portage County, Ohio?

There are three ways. Both parents can sign a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (often at the hospital or through the CSEA), which becomes final if not rescinded. The Portage County CSEA (PCJFS), (330) 297-3750, can establish paternity administratively and order genetic testing. Or you can file a parentage action under R.C. Chapter 3111 — in Portage County that is filed in the Domestic Relations Court, where the court can order genetic testing and then set custody, parenting time, and support. Use the Court's Checklist for Parentage / Custody Actions so your packet is complete.

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: Portage County Domestic Relations Court

203 W. Main Street, Ravenna, OH 44266
Phone: (330) 297-3475
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: www.portagecounty-oh.gov/portage-county-domestic-relations-court

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 before setting custody or support.
You want to use an acknowledgment, CSEA testing, or a court parentage case.
You understand that in Portage County parentage is filed in the Domestic Relations Court.

Filing Fees

A voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity and CSEA administrative paternity carry no court filing fee · a parentage case is filed in the Domestic Relations Court (deposit set by the Court — confirm with the Clerk) · the CSEA (PCJFS), (330) 297-3750, can order genetic testing. Portage County does not publish a fixed Domestic Relations deposit, so confirm the current amount with the Clerk of Courts – Domestic Relations at (330) 297-3475 before filing.

Forms & Filing Packets

Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity — No court filing fee for a voluntary acknowledgment

Both parents sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity (at the hospital or through the CSEA). It becomes final if not rescinded within the statutory window. No court filing fee.

Checklist for Parentage / Custody Actions (Portage County Domestic Relations Court) — The Domestic Relations Court's checklist for unmarried parents starting a parentage, custody, parenting-time, or support case. In Portage County these are filed in the DR Court, not the Juvenile Court.

Parentage action in the Domestic Relations Court — Deposit set by the Court — confirm with the Clerk at (330) 297-3475

File a parentage case under R.C. 3111 in the Portage County Domestic Relations Court; the court can order genetic testing and then allocate custody, parenting time, and support.

Complaint for Allocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Ohio SC Form 23) — Asks the court to name a residential parent and legal custodian and set parenting time for never-married parents. In Portage County this is filed in the Domestic Relations Court — not the Juvenile Court.
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
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.
Checklist for Parentage / Custody Actions (Portage County Domestic Relations Court) — The Domestic Relations Court's checklist for unmarried parents starting a parentage, custody, parenting-time, or support case. In Portage County these are filed in the DR Court, not the Juvenile Court.
Affidavit of Indigency (Portage County Domestic Relations Court) — Sworn statement of income, assets, and expenses used to ask the court to waive or delay the filing deposit if you cannot afford it.

How to File Paternity in Portage County

Decide the route. If both parents agree, sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity. If not, use CSEA testing or file a parentage case.
Contact the CSEA if testing is needed. The Portage County CSEA (PCJFS), (330) 297-3750, can order genetic testing and establish paternity administratively.
File the parentage case. If you go to court, file the Complaint for Allocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities and supporting affidavits in the Domestic Relations Court using the Court's checklist.
Set custody and support. Once paternity is established, the court can allocate custody and parenting time and set child support with the Ohio worksheet.

Portage County Practice Notes

Three roads to parentage. Paternity can be established by a signed Acknowledgment of Paternity, by the CSEA administratively (with genetic testing), or by a court parentage action under R.C. 3111. An acknowledgment that is not rescinded has the same effect as a court order.
Filed in the DR Court, not Juvenile. Portage County's defining feature is that unmarried-parent parentage and custody cases are heard in the Domestic Relations Court, not the Juvenile Court. Use the Court's Checklist for Parentage / Custody Actions and confirm the docket with the Clerk at (330) 297-3475.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I establish paternity in Portage County?: Three ways: both parents can sign a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (often at the hospital or through the CSEA), which becomes final if not rescinded; the Portage County CSEA (PCJFS), (330) 297-3750, can establish paternity administratively and order genetic testing; or you can file a parentage action under R.C. Chapter 3111 — in Portage County that is filed in the Domestic Relations Court, where the court can order genetic testing.
Where do I file a parentage or custody case for unmarried parents in Portage County?: In the Portage County Domestic Relations Court — not the Juvenile Court. This is the county's defining feature: parentage, custody, parenting-time, and support cases for unmarried parents are all heard in the Domestic Relations Court. Use the Court's Checklist for Parentage / Custody Actions and confirm the current deposit with the Clerk at (330) 297-3475.
Do unmarried parents go to Juvenile Court in Portage County?: No. This is Portage County's defining feature: the Domestic Relations Court — not the Juvenile Court — hears all unmarried-parent parentage, custody, parenting-time, and support cases. The Juvenile Court handles only abuse/neglect/dependency and delinquency. Use the Court's Checklist for Parentage / Custody Actions and confirm the docket with the Clerk at (330) 297-3475.
How is child support calculated in Portage County?: Using the statewide Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 income-shares model) from the official calculator at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov. The order must contain the mandatory statutory support language and any deviation findings, and the Portage County CSEA administers and enforces it.

Free Local Resources in Portage County

Portage County Domestic Relations Court (Judge Paula Giulitto). 203 W. Main Street, Ravenna, OH 44266; Clerk of Courts – Domestic Relations (330) 297-3475, open 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, protection orders, and all unmarried-parent parentage, custody, parenting-time, and support cases. Hosts the Domestic Relations Forms page, the divorce and parentage checklists, and the free 'Children Are Forever' parenting class. Offers e-filing; fax/email filing is $1 per transmission plus $1 per page.
Portage County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA / PCJFS). Portage County Job & Family Services, (330) 297-3750. Opens IV-D cases, sets and collects support by wage withholding, can establish paternity and order genetic testing, and runs the Child & Adult Protective Services abuse hotline at 330-296-CARE (330-296-2273).
Portage County Juvenile/Probate Court. Part of the combined Juvenile/Probate Court in Ravenna. Handles abuse/neglect/dependency and delinquency (Juvenile) and adoptions (Probate). Note: in Portage County, routine parentage and custody for unmarried parents are heard in the Domestic Relations Court, not here.
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.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron metro.
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