Ohio Forms: Pick the DR Number That Matches the Fight
Ohio standardized forms reward parents who can separate three different nightmares: starting the parentage and allocation scaffold, changing parenting time, or changing parental rights in a custody-shaped way. This page is the routing desk. Open the leaf page that matches your job, then verify local court add-ons.
If you are still choosing among modification, parenting time, support, or enforcement lanes, start with the Ohio hub procedure overviews first; this page is the checklist and official-links index.
| Form | Plain-English job | MCC leaf |
|---|---|---|
| DR 23 | Parentage, allocation, parenting-time scaffolding (many fresh-case setups) | Open DR 23 page |
| DR 26 | Parenting-time change (schedule, exchanges, calendar-level disputes) | Open DR 26 page |
| DR 27 | Change in parental rights and responsibilities (custody-shaped change) | Open DR 27 page |
Weak routing vs stronger routing
Sounds weak
"I just want fairness" with no schedule sketch and no dates.
Sounds stronger
"Here is the current order language, here is what happened on these dates, here is the schedule I can execute next month."
First moves
- Ohio hub for panic triage
- Ohio parenting time modification (overview) when the calendar is the fight
- Ohio custody modification (overview) when decision authority is the fight
- Evidence checklist
General support (not Ohio-specific)
Official standardized forms hub
Supreme Court of Ohio domestic relations and juvenile formsFAQ
Why does Ohio make parenting time and custody different form numbers?
Because the legal job on paper can differ: DR 26 is the lane many parents need when the schedule is wrong but the broader rights split is not the fight. DR 27 is where parental rights and responsibilities get reopened. Mixing the story under the wrong number is how filings look confused before the clerk finishes the first page.
I already have an order and only want Wednesdays fixed. Which form family is that?
Often that is a parenting-time change story first (DR 26 lane), not a full re-litigation of every rights issue. If your facts are actually about who makes medical decisions or a relocation-level shift, you may be closer to DR 27. Name the job in one sentence before you pick.
Where does DR 23 fit if I am not "starting from zero"?
DR 23 is the foundational parentage/allocation/parenting-time packet lane for many initial setups. If you are years into a case, you may still touch DR-family updates, but do not assume "new to me" automatically means DR 23. Match the form to the court event, not to how overwhelmed you feel.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-03
MyCustodyCoach is not a law firm. Court rules, fees, and form versions change by county; confirm what applies to your case with official court resources or counsel you hire.