graphic image

Paternity & Support Establishment

Paternity & Support Establishment

If you would like to establish a paternity or support order for your child(ren), please click on the below documents, print the forms and provide the requested information. Please mail the completed forms to the CSEA at 315 High Street, 7th Floor, Hamilton, OH  45011. Please allow us 20 calendar days to process your paperwork. We will only establish a support order once we have conclusively determined paternity.

Application for Child Support Services/Packet

 Support and Medical Order Establishment

The CSEA assists in support establishment for children through either an administrative or a judicial process, whichever is most appropriate. The agency or court uses Ohio’s Child Support Guidelines to determine the amount of child support the non-custodial parent must pay. The agency or court also issues medical insurance orders.

Paternity Establishment

What is paternity establishment?

Genetic Testing vs. Paternity Acknowledgement  

Establishing paternity is important for the following reasons:

  • Completing the child's medical history
  • Having the father's name on the birth certificate
  • Getting health insurance through the other parent's insurance company
  • Establishing a legal basis for child support and related matters
  • Establishing legal rights for the child in matters such as inheritance, veteran benefits, Social Security benefits, disability benefits and lottery winnings

The following parties may request the Butler County CSEA to establish paternity:

  • The mother of a child born out-of-wedlock or for whom paternity is still an issue
  • The legal guardian of a child born out-of-wedlock or for whom paternity is still an issue
  • The child born out-of-wedlock or for whom paternity is still an issue
  • A man alleging to be the father of a child born out-of-wedlock or for whom paternity is still an issue

There are three main ways to establish paternity in Ohio:

  1. Paternity Affidavit
  2. Administrative Order (based on genetic test results)
  3. Court Order — A court may issue an order finding a party to be the father of a child.