Establishing Paternity in Tuscarawas County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 15, 2026

Tuscarawas County, Ohio · New Philadelphia

When parents were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and support are decided by the Tuscarawas County Juvenile Division (Judge Adam W. Wilgus). Paternity can be established administratively through the CSEA (acknowledgment of paternity or genetic testing) or judicially in the Juvenile Division. Establishing paternity is the gateway to a father's custody and parenting-time rights and to a support order.

How do I establish paternity in Tuscarawas County, Ohio?

Paternity can be established two ways: administratively through the Tuscarawas County CSEA (an acknowledgment of paternity or genetic testing; CSEA line 800-685-2732), or judicially in the Juvenile Division. To have the court establish parentage and allocate custody, parenting time, and support, file the Complaint for Custody in the Juvenile Division — under Local Rule 6.2 you must include the Affidavit of Basic Information, Income, and Expenses and a Confidential Information Page, plus a UCCJEA Declaration. Confirm the current Juvenile deposit with the Clerk; low-income filers may file the Affidavit of Indigency. Until paternity is established, an unmarried father has no enforceable custody or parenting-time rights.

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: Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Phone: (330) 364-8811
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk at (330) 365-3243 to confirm current hours)
Website: www.co.tuscarawas.oh.us/government/court_of_common_pleas_court_general_division/index.php
e-Filing: https://eservices.tuscarawasohcourts.com/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division
125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Phone: (330) 365-3244
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the court to confirm current hours)

Paternity is the right path if…

You and the other parent were never married to each other.
You need parentage legally established before custody, parenting time, or support can be ordered.
You want the Juvenile Division to allocate custody and a parenting-time schedule.
You want a child-support order set and enforced through the CSEA.
You prefer to establish paternity administratively through the CSEA where possible.

Filing Fees

Parentage via CSEA (acknowledgment or genetic testing, 800-685-2732) or judicially in the Juvenile Division · Complaint for Custody requires Local Rule 6.2 forms · Juvenile deposit set by that division — confirm with the Clerk · Affidavit of Indigency available.

Forms & Filing Packets

Establish parentage and custody in the Juvenile Division — Deposit set by the Juvenile Division — confirm with the Clerk

File the Complaint for Custody with the Local Rule 6.2 forms to have the court establish parentage and allocate custody, parenting time, and support.

Complaint for Custody (parents never married) — Tuscarawas Juvenile — File this if you are seeking custody of a child and the parents were never married to each other.
Affidavit of Basic Information, Income, and Expenses (Ohio SC; Local Rule 6.2) — Ohio Supreme Court standardized affidavit required with every initial Juvenile filing and every reopening motion under Local Rule 6.2.
Confidential Information Page (Local Rule 6.2) — Required with every initial Juvenile filing and every reopening motion under Local Rule 6.2.
UCCJEA Declaration (adapted for Juvenile Court) — Confirms Ohio's jurisdiction over the children under the UCCJEA when an out-of-state question could be involved.
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.

Need a fast setting

Add a Request for Expedited Hearing when the matter is time-sensitive.

Request for Expedited Hearing — Tuscarawas Juvenile — Ask for a faster setting when the matter is time-sensitive, including emergency custody.
Request for Service — Tuscarawas Juvenile — Tells the court how to serve the other party (publication/posting available when a party can't be located).

Can't afford the deposit

Low-income filers may request a waiver of prepayment of court costs.

Affidavit of Indigency / Waiver of Prepayment of Court Costs (Juvenile) — Low-income filers can request a waiver of prepayment of court costs in the Juvenile Division.

How to File Paternity in Tuscarawas County

Choose administrative or judicial. Establish paternity through the CSEA (acknowledgment or genetic testing, 800-685-2732) or judicially in the Juvenile Division.
Prepare the Juvenile packet. To have the court allocate custody and support, complete the Complaint for Custody, the Affidavit of Basic Information, the Confidential Information Page, and a UCCJEA Declaration.
File and arrange service. File in the Juvenile Division, confirm the deposit with the Clerk (or file the Affidavit of Indigency), and complete the Request for Service.
Set custody and support. Once parentage is established, the court allocates custody and parenting time and sets support using the Ohio worksheet; the CSEA enforces the order.

Tuscarawas County Practice Notes

Never-married = Juvenile Division. Custody, parenting time, support, and parentage for never-married parents are decided in the Tuscarawas County Juvenile Division — not the General Division, which handles married-spouse custody as part of a divorce/dissolution.
Local Rule 6.2 forms are mandatory. Every initial Juvenile filing must include the Affidavit of Basic Information, Income, and Expenses (Ohio Supreme Court standardized) and a Confidential Information Page. A UCCJEA Declaration is required when the court needs to confirm jurisdiction over the children.
Paternity unlocks rights. Until paternity is legally established, an unmarried father has no enforceable custody or parenting-time rights. The CSEA (administered by the Prosecutor's Office) can establish parentage administratively, or you can establish it judicially in the Juvenile Division.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do unmarried parents file for custody or support in Tuscarawas County?: In the Juvenile Division (Judge Adam W. Wilgus) — start with the Complaint for Custody, used when the parents were never married. Local Rule 6.2 requires the Affidavit of Basic Information, Income, and Expenses and a Confidential Information Page with the initial filing.
How is paternity established in Tuscarawas County?: Paternity can be established administratively through the CSEA (acknowledgment of paternity or genetic testing; 800-685-2732) or judicially in the Juvenile Division. Until paternity is established, an unmarried father has no enforceable custody or parenting-time rights.
Do I file in the General Division or the Juvenile Division in Tuscarawas County?: If you are married to (or were married to) the other parent, custody, parenting time, and child support are decided in the General Division as part of your divorce or dissolution. If you were never married, paternity and custody are handled by the Juvenile Division. Grandparent and other non-parent custody requests are always filed in the Juvenile Division.
Who collects and enforces child support in Tuscarawas County?: The Tuscarawas County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), administered by the Prosecutor's Office (Director Traci A. Berry), opens IV-D cases, collects by wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. The CSEA line is 800-685-2732.

Free Local Resources in Tuscarawas County

Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts (General Division). Clerk Wendy D. Jones, Suite 230, PO Box 628, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. Accepts filings in person, by mail, by email (clerkfiling@co.tuscarawas.oh.us, $0.25/page service copies), by e-file (eservices.tuscarawasohcourts.com), or by fax (330-343-4682). Call (330) 365-3243 to confirm deposits and packet requirements before filing.
Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and adult DVCPO/CSPO cases at 125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia; (330) 364-8811. DR forms are county-local packets provided via the County Bar Association and SEOLS. How-to videos at youtube.com/@TuscarawasCountyCourts.
Tuscarawas County Juvenile Division. Judge Adam W. Wilgus. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, plus grandparent visitation and non-parent custody. Local Rule 6.2 requires the Affidavit of Basic Information and a Confidential Information Page with initial filings.
Tuscarawas County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Administered by the Prosecutor's Office (Director Traci A. Berry). Opens IV-D support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. CSEA line: 800-685-2732.
Protection orders — SEOLS & Prosecutor's Office. Standardized DVCPO/CSPO petition forms and self-help guidance are available through Southeastern Ohio Legal Services / Ohio Legal Help. For local help, contact the Tuscarawas County Prosecutor's Office at (330) 365-3214. There is no filing fee; call 911 in an emergency.

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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