Determination of Paternity (D.O.P.'s)

A Determination of Paternity (DOP) (HEA 3029) is an Ohio Department of Health form that can be submitted by either a juvenile court with a court order or a Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) with DNA results to establish a parent-child relationship. It authorizes paternal changes to a child's birth certificate, such as adding the father's information or changing the child's name, if you choose to do so.

Child Support Enforcement Agencies (CSEA) are authorized to do the following procedures prior to January 1, 1998:

1. Add a father to the child's birth certificate ONLY if there is no other father listed on the record.

2. Change the child's name if the proper criteria is met.

CSEA's are authorized to do the following procedure after January 1, 1998:

1. Add, remove or replace a father on a child's birth certificate, even if there is another man listed on the original record. The CSEA is empowered to order DNA testing in order to resolve the issue of paternity.

2. Change the child's name if the proper criteria is met.

3. The CSEA send the DOP form to the Central Paternity Registry to be registered.

4. The SEA will refer you to Juvenile Court when they are unable to assist in your situation. The Juvenile Court can and will make the decisions regarding paternity and your child's birth certificate.

When submitting these documents to change your child's birth certificate, you must submit a Certified Copy, meaning that it must contain an original signature or raised seal from the CSEA or court.

Last Reviewed: 7/31/08