Ohio UCCJEA Parenting Proceeding Affidavit: What It Is and How to Complete It

Why Every Ohio Custody or Guardianship Case Requires This Form

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) affidavit is mandatory in every Ohio proceeding that involves a child's custody, guardianship, or allocation of parental rights. Under R.C. 3127.23(A), the affidavit must accompany the very first filing in the case — whether that is a guardianship application in Probate Court, a custody complaint in Juvenile Court, or even a Grandparent Power of Attorney filed with the Juvenile Court clerk.

The purpose is straightforward: it gives the court information needed to determine whether Ohio has jurisdiction over the child. Without it, the court may not be able to complete that review, and the filing may be delayed or returned for completion.

What the Affidavit Asks For

The UCCJEA affidavit requires five categories of information:

The child's address history. You must list every address where the child has lived for the past five years, along with the dates at each location. If the child is under five, list addresses from birth.

Everyone the child lived with. For each address, you provide the name and current address of every person who shared the home with the child during that period.

Other custody or visitation proceedings. Disclose any past or pending court cases involving the child's custody, visitation, or parenting time — in Ohio or any other state. Include case numbers and court names if you have them.

Claims by non-parties. If anyone not already named in your case claims physical custody or visitation rights over the child, you must identify them.

Criminal history disclosure. The Supreme Court of Ohio's standard Form 3 also asks about convictions, including guilty pleas, for you and members of your household involving child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, sexually oriented offenses, and offenses against a household or family member that caused physical harm.

The Confidentiality Safe Harbor

If disclosing addresses or identifying information would jeopardize the health, safety, or liberty of you or the child, R.C. 3127.23(D) allows you to allege that under oath and request sealing. The information must be sealed and kept from the other party and public unless, after a hearing, the court orders disclosure in the interests of justice.

This does not exempt you from filing the affidavit. You still file it, but the court restricts who can see the protected portions.

Where to Find the Form

The Supreme Court of Ohio publishes standardized forms used statewide, including the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (commonly called Form 3 in Domestic Relations divisions). Your county court may also publish its own version, but the required content is the same regardless of format.

Many counties require e-filing (Franklin County's eFlex portal, Cuyahoga County's electronic system), so check whether you can submit the affidavit online or need to file a paper copy.

Common Mistakes That Delay Cases

Incomplete address history. Leaving gaps in the five-year timeline raises jurisdictional questions. If you genuinely cannot recall exact move-in and move-out dates, provide your best estimate and note it as approximate.

Forgetting out-of-state custody cases. If the child was previously subject to a custody or dependency proceeding in another state, that state may retain continuing jurisdiction under the UCCJEA. The court needs this information to determine whether Ohio can act.

Not updating the court about another proceeding. You have a continuing duty to inform the court about any custody proceeding concerning the child in Ohio or another state that could affect the current case. For other changed information, check the local court's instructions about whether to file an amended affidavit.

How This Connects to Your Guardianship or Custody Case

The UCCJEA affidavit is a procedural prerequisite, not a substitute for the main complaint or application. It does not argue your case or explain why you should be granted custody. It simply establishes that Ohio is the right place to hear it.

For a detailed walkthrough of every form in the guardianship and custody filing packet — including how the UCCJEA affidavit fits with the main application, background checks, and service of process — see our Ohio Guardianship and Custody Court Process Guide.

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