Paternity Establishment

The Columbiana County CSEA provides services to establish paternity (legally determine the father of a child) when a child is born out of wedlock (not during a legal marriage).

Genetic Testing:

Often genetic testing is used to determine the biological father of a child.  The CSEA provides genetic testing services.    In most case the parties must first apply for child support services (see application forms below).  A copy of the child's birth certificate is required.   The CSEA may be able to assist you in obtaining a copy. 

The Agency also provides genetic testing for individuals who have been court-ordered to have the testing completed.

 Please print and use these forms (together) to apply for child support services with CSEA.

Application for Child Support Services(click to download)

Checklist to go with Services Application(click to download)

Support Establishment

Once paternity is established the Columbiana County CSEA can establish support orders through an administrative and/or judicial (court) process.

 The establishment of a support order involves the determination of a monthly child support amount, or obligation, to be paid by the non-custodial parent (the parent with whom the child does not reside).  The child support obligation is calculated by using the Ohio Child Support Guidelines as established by the Ohio Legislature.  The Guidelines take into consideration the incomes of both parents, the number of children, day care expenses and health insurance premium costs for the children in the case as well as some other specified financial factors.  To review the Ohio Child Support Guidelines, you can use this link to the Ohio Revised Code (Section 31) at http://codes.ohio.gov/orc.

State laws require that a medical support order be established in conjunction with a child support order.  A medical support order addresses the requirement of one or both of the parties to provide health insurance, when available and reasonable, for the child/children.  It usually addresses the responsibility of non-insured expenses for the child/children and may require a monthly medical support payment when insurance is not available.