DECLARATION OF PATERNITY CHECKLIST

The Probate Court may make a determination of paternity of an adult child over the age of 23 by the filing of a Joint Declaration. Probate Court does not have the authority to determine paternity in any other circumstance, other than that described in R.C. 2105.26. Other issues involving paternity should be addressed to the Juvenile Court, Domestic Relations Court, Vital Statistics, or the Child Support Enforcement Agency in your county of residence or county of residence of the child.

Filing Fee
Court Costs: $74.00

Requirements

Adult child must have been born in Ohio
Adult child must be age 23 or older at the time of filing the Joint Declaration
Adult child must not have a father listed on the child’s birth certificate
Adult child must have had genetic testing completed that proves paternity by the alleged father

This action is filed in the Probate Court in the county where the alleged father currently resides. If the alleged father does not reside in Ohio, the action may be filed in any Probate Court in Ohio.

Note:

All paperwork must be typed. We will not accept handwritten documents.
All filings must be single-sided. We will not accept double-sided originals.
Please do not staple original paperwork. We cannot accept filings with staples.

Procedure

The forms below must be completed and filed with the Probate Court, along with the other documents listed. Once the Court has accepted the documents for filing, a hearing will be set. Alleged father, mother, and adult child must all appear at the hearing.

*The only exception to personal appearance is if the mother is deceased or has been adjudicated incompetent. In this case, only the alleged father and adult child are required to appear at the hearing.

Initial Filing

Copy of the adult child’s birth certificate
Copy of genetic testing
Joint Declaration (Form 107.1)
Judgment Entry Setting Hearing on Joint Declaration (Form 107.2)
Judgment Entry Regarding Joint Declaration (Form 107.3)
Determination of Paternity (HEA 3029 Form)
If mother is deceased, applicant must provide a copy of her death certificate
If mother has been adjudicated incompetent, applicant must provide a copy of Letters of Guardianship