How can the Paternity Enhancement
Program/Central Paternity Registry help me?
If you want to know if establishing paternity is right for
you and your child;
If you want to find out more about the process; or
If you have questions about what paternity establishment
means,
You can get answers here or by calling us at 1-888-810-OHIO (6446).
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'The most important quality in my father is that he makes
me feel safe' - Erin, age nine, Kansas City, Missouri
Boys with a father in their life are 37% less likely to
abuse drugs.
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Why Establish Paternity?
Legally establishing the father protects your child by giving
them options and advantages they might otherwise miss.
Establishing paternity provides your child with a security only
you can give. Below are some of the reasons you may want to
establish paternity.
For Your Child's Sense of Identity-
Children find it very important to know who their mother and
father are, and to have a relationship with both parents.
Children who don't know both parents often miss out on knowing
both sides of their extended family, so they lose grandparents,
aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as a parent.
To Help Set-up Custody & Visitation-
Unless a court order is issued, the mother is the sole
residential parent and the legal custodian of the child.
However, once paternity is established, the father can ask the
court for visitation rights and/or to share in custody
arrangements. This gives the opportunity for the father and
child to see each other regularly and for the father to have
custody of the child if something happens to the mother. It can
also help take the pressure off of one parent trying to raise a
child alone.
To Establish Child Support-
Both parents have the responsibility to financially support
their child. If the parents choose to separate and paternity has
already been established, it will be easier for the child to
keep receiving the support he or she needs.
To Secure Financial Benefits-
Legal paternity allows the child to qualify for important
financial benefits from the father. These benefits may include
social security, life insurance, veterans' benefits, and
inheritance rights if something happens to the father.
To Provide Medical Benefits-
A legal father may be able to add his child to his health
insurance policy. Also, it can be very important for a child to
know the medical history of both parents.
Because Fathers Are Important In Kids' Lives-
Children themselves tell us what an impact their dads have on
their lives. In sidebars throughout this site, you can read what
children had to say about their dads, and see how fathers make a
positive difference in kid's lives.
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'The most important qualities of a father
are that he loves and does the best he can for his kids. My dad
does that all of the time... well, most of the time. No dad is
perfect' - Alicia, age eleven, Wausaw, Wisconsin.
Kids with a father in their life are half as
likely to end up in jail.
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How do I Establish Paternity for My Child?
In Ohio, paternity can be established in three ways:
Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit: By signing this
affidavit, both parents agree that a man is the biological
father of a child and choose to make him the legal father of the
child. To see if the Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit is
appropriate for your situation, click here to answer a few
questions. Administrative Order of Paternity: For unmarried parents
that have not established paternity through another method and
wish to get genetic testing, the Child Support Enforcement
Agency can conduct the testing and issue an order of paternity
if the man is indeed the biological father of the child. If the
mother lives in Ohio, please contact the Child Support
Enforcement Agency (CSEA) in the mother's county of residence.
If the mother lives outside of Ohio, you may contact the CSEA in
the father's county of residence. Click here to
go to the Office
Locator Map and find the appropriate CSEA office. Court Order of Paternity: Paternity may be established
through Juvenile Court and sometimes through Domestic Relations
Court (as part of a divorce.)
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A father should be not only your dad, but
your friend, too.' - Samantha, age ten, Southaven, Mississippi
Girls with a father in their life are 53%
less likely to commit suicide.
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Where do I Complete a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity
Affidavit for My Child?
The Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit can be completed at
these locations:
At the time of birth, unmarried parents are offered the
opportunity to complete the Affidavit at the hospital or
birth facility. Afterwards, an Affidavit may be completed at your local
health department. Click here to find
a health department near you. Affidavits may also be completed at a Child Support
Enforcement Agency. Click here to
locate the Child Support Enforcement Agency in your county.
All of these locations have trained staff available to assist
parents in completing an Affidavit. They also have notaries on
staff to notarize the parents' signatures. Parents must provide
suitable picture identification to the notary.
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'A good dad would come to your games... and miss work just
for you' - Brook, age twelve, Roswell, Georgia
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