Paternity in Summit County

How do I establish paternity in Summit County, Ohio?

There are three routes in Ohio: sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity (at the hospital or through CSEA), get an administrative genetic-testing order through the Summit County CSEA, or file a Complaint for Parentage and Allocation of Parental Rights (Form 23). If you also want custody, parenting time, or support set, the parentage case is the route — filed at the Summit Juvenile Court, 650 Dan Street, with the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3) and a child-support worksheet. Never-married parents complete the "Working Together" program. Until paternity is established, an unmarried father has no enforceable rights and the mother has sole custody by default.

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

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Summit County Juvenile Court
650 Dan Street, Akron, OH 44310, Akron, OH 44310
Phone: (330) 643-2900
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Paternity is the right path if…

• You are an unmarried father seeking legal recognition and parenting rights.
• You are a mother seeking support or to confirm the father's identity.
• You want custody, parenting time, or support decided alongside paternity.
• Paternity is disputed and you may need genetic testing.

Filing Fees

Paternity by acknowledgment, CSEA genetic testing, or a parentage case (Form 23) · Parentage filings $420 · Heard at the Summit Juvenile Court, 650 Dan Street · "Working Together" program for never-married parents

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Paternity in Summit County

1. 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 case.
2. Use CSEA for testing if needed. Request genetic testing through the Summit County CSEA, which can issue an administrative order before any court case.
3. File the parentage complaint. File Form 23 at the Summit Juvenile Court, 650 Dan Street, Akron, with the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit and a child-support worksheet.
4. Complete the program. Never-married parents complete the "Working Together" program through the court's online system.
5. Get the orders entered. After paternity is confirmed, the court allocates custody and parenting time and sets child support, all in the same case.

Summit 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.
• Three ways to establish it. An Acknowledgment of Paternity (signed voluntarily), an administrative genetic-testing order through CSEA, or a court parentage case. A signed acknowledgment has the force of a court order once final.
• Set custody and support in the same case. A parentage case (Form 23) lets the Juvenile Court establish paternity and, in one proceeding, allocate parental rights, set a parenting-time schedule, and order child support.
• Best-interest standard governs custody. Once paternity is established, any custody and parenting-time decision uses the R.C. 3109.04 best-interest factors — the same standard applied in divorce cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I establish paternity in Summit County?

Paternity can be established three ways in Ohio: signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity at the hospital or through CSEA, an administrative genetic-testing order through CSEA, or a parentage case in court. For never-married parents who also want custody, parenting time, or support set, file a Complaint for Parentage and Allocation of Parental Rights (Summit Form 23) — at the DR Court if filed there, or at the Juvenile Court, 650 Dan Street. Establishing paternity is the gate to a father's custody and parenting-time rights.

What is the "Working Together" program, and who has to take it?

"Working Together" is the Summit DR Court's online program for never-married parents in parentage and parenting cases. It covers each parent's rights and responsibilities for custody, parenting time, and support, and connects parents with a neutral professional to resolve differences. It is delivered through the same Learning Management System as "Remember the Children." The court's order tells you which program you must complete.

Does my case go to the Domestic Relations Court or the Juvenile Court?

Summit splits family work by courthouse. Married and divorcing parents — and their custody, support, and parenting-time issues — are handled at the Domestic Relations Court, 205 South High Street, Akron. Never-married parents and non-parent (grandparent/relative) custody cases are handled at the Summit County Juvenile Court, 650 Dan Street, Akron. Filing in the wrong court delays your case, so confirm venue before you file.

What standard does a Summit County court use to decide custody?

Ohio courts decide custody by the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F)(1). The factors include each parent's wishes, the child's wishes (when the court interviews the child), the child's relationships with parents and siblings, adjustment to home, school, and community, the mental and physical health of everyone involved, which parent is more likely to honor parenting time, child-support compliance, any history of abuse or neglect, and whether a parent plans to move out of state.

How does child support get collected in Summit County?

Once a court sets support, the Summit County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) opens a IV-D case and collects payments through wage withholding, then distributes them to the receiving parent. You open a CSEA case by filing the Application for Child Support Services (Local Form 115) with your case. CSEA also handles administrative reviews and can help enforce arrears. CSEA filings are exempt from the cost deposit.

Free Local Resources in Summit County

• Summit Free Legal Clinic at Open M. Court-hosted community clinic in Akron offering free legal advice for self-represented parties.
• Summit County DR Court. drcourt.org — CPO forms, Local Rules, judge bios, and the parenting-class LMS. Clerk's Office (1st floor) opens at 7:30 a.m.
• Summit County Juvenile Court. juvenilecourt.summitoh.net · (330) 643-2900. Custody, visitation, support, and Grandparent Power of Attorney forms at 650 Dan Street.
• Summit County CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency). Opens IV-D cases and collects/distributes child support through wage withholding once a support order is in place.
• Victim Assistance Program of Summit County. Free advocates who help domestic-violence survivors complete CPO petitions and prepare for hearings.

Other Family-Law Topics in Summit County

• Summit County Divorce — Full filing guide with forms, fees, and the court's parenting class.
• Ohio Grandparents' Rights — Statewide overview of custody and companionship options for grandparents.
• Ohio Child Support Calculator — Run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself.
• Ohio family-law resources — 88-county directory of courts and legal aid.

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.