Ohio Code § 3127.15

§ 3127.15.

(A) Except as otherwise provided in section 3127.18 of the Revised Code , a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial determination in a child

custody proceeding only if one of the following applies: (1) This state is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the

proceeding, or was the home state of the child within six months before the commencement

of the proceeding and the child is absent from this state but a parent or person acting

as a parent continues to live in this state. (2) A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under division (A)(1) of this

section or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction

on the basis that this state is the more appropriate forum under section 3127.21 or 3127.22 of the Revised Code , or a similar statute of the other state, and both of the following are the case: (a) The child and the child's parents, or the child and at least one parent or a person

acting as a parent, have a significant connection with this state other than mere

physical presence. (b) Substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the child's care, protection,

training, and personal relationships. (3) All courts having jurisdiction under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section have

declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this state is the

more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under section 3127.21 or 3127.22 of the Revised Code or a similar statute enacted by another state. (4) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified

in division (A)(1), (2), or (3) of this section. (B) Division (A) of this section is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child

custody determination by a court of this state. (C) Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary

or sufficient to make a child custody determination.