Establishing Paternity

Note: By law, visitation and custody are separate issues from child support and not handled by child support services. Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court are responsible for determining visitation and custody matters.

What you need to know about establishing paternity

There are two (2) ways to establish paternity:

1. An unwed mother and father may come to the agency to sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit which is a legal document to establish paternity. Both parties must provide photo identification and the child’s birth certificate and sign the document before a notary.
2. The second method of establishing paternity is through DNA genetic testing. A mouth swab is performed on all parties. The results will be mailed to the parties. If you have not received your genetic testing results, or if you have missed your genetic testing date, please contact your worker.

DNA Genetic Testing

Even if you are not currently applying for child support, Child Support Services can help you and the father establish paternity. The mother, alleged father and the child(ren) can visit the downtown office between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to complete genetic testing.

Child Support

Child Support is money required by law to be paid by one parent to another to help cover the costs of raising their children.

Child Support

Food Assistance

Food Assistance helps families stretch their food budgets to buy healthy food. Also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the program may be available to both families and individuals who qualify.

Food Assistance

Medical Assistance

Medicaid (medical assistance) provides health care coverage to families who may not otherwise have access to health care. Medicaid may cover part of the cost of visits to the doctor, nursing home care and home health care.

Medical Assistance

Child Care

Child Care services are available to eligible parents who are either working or in school, to help cover part of the cost of child care for their children. Parents are able to pick a child care provider that meets their …

Child Care

Cash Assistance

Cash assistance, also known as Ohio Works First, is temporary assistance available to families to help them pay for immediate needs while the adults of the family prepare for and search for jobs. While receiving assistance, families spend a minimum …

Cash Assistance

Child Protection

The Children’s Services Division works with families to help keep Hamilton County children safe. Children’s Services operates the 241-KIDS hotline, provides services to help families and, when necessary, places children who cannot be safe in their own homes into temporary …

Child Protection

Workforce Development

The Workforce Development unit helps Hamilton County residents join the workforce and move up the economic ladder.

Workforce Development

Elder Protection

Hamilton County Adult Protective Services operates 421-LIFE, the 24-hour hotline for reporting abuse and neglect (by self or others) of Hamilton County adult residents. Hamilton County Job and Family Services works to: Identify risks to the safety and well-being of …