• Court Order recognizing that Pursuant to ORC 3109.042, an unmarried mother is the sole residential parent and legal custodian until a court of competent jurisdiction issues orders. The following documents are required. 

  • A Certified Copy of the child's birth certificate is required. The Court will make a copy and return the original. 

  • Adams County Form AC-303 - Affidavit and Entry for order pursuant to R.C. 3109.042 (Word | PDF) one for each child

  • Form SC-3 - Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (PDF )

• Temporary Authorizations and POA'S for Grandparents

  • Grandparent/Caretaker Documents (For Grandparents Only!)

  • Information on Grandparent’s Visitation and Custody Rights from Southeastern Ohio Legal Services 

• If there is no existing case involving the minor child. Note; A separate case must be filed for each child. A Complaint is a legal document used to initiate a case in a Court.

  • Complaint to Establish Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities, and Parenting Time

• If there is a case already filed (Subsequent actions in a case are called motions. You will need the correct Caption information which may include the case number, party names, child name, and title of the motion.) 

  • Change in Parenting Time (Companionship or Visitation)

  • Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities (Custody)

  • Relocation of Parent or Custodian

  • Motion For Contempt  - For violations of an existing Court Order.

Note; A separate case must be filed for each child. 

IF THERE IS NO CASE INVOLVING THE CHILD - A COMPLAINT MUST BE FILED. A Complaint is a legal document used to initiate a case in a Court. 

IF THERE IS ALREADY A CASE INVOLVING A CHILD - A MOTION MUST BE FILED. Subsequent actions in a case are called motions. You will need the correct Caption information which may include the case number, party names, child name, and title of the motion.

Paternity must be established and all relevant parties, including parents and custodians must receive notice. It is the responsibility of the person filing the Complaint or Motion to have the other parties served, including unknown Fathers and persons whose addresses are unknown. The Court cannot provide addresses or contact information. 

All persons seeking Custody must register for and attend a parenting seminar. The certificate of completion must be filed with the Court. 

COURT COSTS DEPOSITS MUST BE PAID BEFORE ANY PLEADINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR FILING. An affidavit of indigency and a motion to waive the Court Cost Deposit must be filed in order to waive this requirement. You must meet Federal Guidelines for indigency or the motion will not be granted. Contact the Court when filing. 

ALL FILINGS ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE COURT FOR COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY. INCOMPLETE, ILLEGIBLE, OR OTHER DOCUMENTS NOT CONFORMING WITH OHIO LAW AND RULES OF PROCEDURE MAY RESULT IN THE PLEADINGS BEING DISMISSED.

MOTIONS FOR EMERGENCY CUSTODY HEARINGS WILL GENERALLY NOT BE GRANTED. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF A MINOR CHILD CONTACT ADAMS COUNTY CHILDREN'S SERVICES BOARD AT (937) 544-2511