Under Ohio law, unmarried couples do not have access to many of the rights that married couples do. This is especially true when it comes to issues involving children. Thus, it is extremely important for couples to take steps to protect their rights after a child is born.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by properly establishing paternity.

Establishing paternity is important because it guarantees that both the mother and the father will enjoy certain rights if the couple eventually breaks up. For example, without an official recognition of paternity, the father may not be able to seek custody or parenting time. Similarly, the mother may not be able to receive child support from a non-custodial father.

Ohio Paternity Laws

When a child is born to a married couple, the husband is automatically presumed to be the father. However, this presumption doesn't exist for unmarried parents, even if they are living together or are in a long-term committed relationship.

Instead, the couple must file a "parentage" action in juvenile court. In this action, paternity can be established in one of two ways. If both parents agree to the action, then the mother and the father may both sign a document called a "voluntary acknowledgement of paternity affidavit." However, if one party contests the action, then either parent may request that the county Child Support Enforcement Agency conduct a DNA test to establish paternity.

It is important to note that simply listing the father's name on the child's birth certificate does not establish legal paternity.

Paternity is just one of the many family law issues faced by unmarried couples. If you are the parent of a child born outside of a marriage, it is important that you take proactive steps to protect your rights.

Source: Ohio Legal Services, "Family Law: Paternity."