Establishing Paternity in Ohio
How paternity is established in Ohio: the voluntary acknowledgment form, court orders, genetic testing and deadlines.
Short answer: The mother and the man may sign an acknowledgment of paternity affidavit, notarized or witnessed by two adults, and file it with the Office of Child Support in the Department of Job and Family Services within 10 days of signing. Ohio Rev. Code §§ 3111.04, 3111.09, 3111.23, 3111.25, 3111.27, 3111.28
| Establishing paternity | The mother and the man may sign an acknowledgment of paternity affidavit, notarized or witnessed by two adults, and file it with the Office of Child Support in the Department of Job and Family Services within 10 days of signing. It becomes final without court action once filed, entered in the birth registry, and not rescinded. To rescind, a signer must, within 60 days of the last signature, ask the child support agency to determine paternity (genetic testing) and notify the office in writing. After it becomes final, it can be challenged only for fraud, duress or material mistake of fact, within one year. Paternity can also be decided in a court action brought by the child, mother, alleged father or child support agency, where the court must order genetic tests on any party's motion. |
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Where to get help in Ohio
More Ohio divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Ohio
- Adopting a Child in Ohio
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Ohio
- Changing Your Name in Ohio
- Child Custody Laws in Ohio
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Ohio
- Divorce Records in Ohio
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Ohio
- How to File for Divorce in Ohio
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Ohio
- All Ohio divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you establish paternity in Ohio?
The mother and the man may sign an acknowledgment of paternity affidavit, notarized or witnessed by two adults, and file it with the Office of Child Support in the Department of Job and Family Services within 10 days of signing. It becomes final without court action once filed, entered in the birth registry, and not rescinded. To rescind, a signer must, within 60 days of the last signature, ask the child support agency to determine paternity (genetic testing) and notify the office in writing. After it becomes final, it can be challenged only for fraud, duress or material mistake of fact, within one year. Paternity can also be decided in a court action brought by the child, mother, alleged father or child support agency, where the court must order genetic tests on any party's motion.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.