Columbus Small Claims Court: How to File in Franklin County

Filing in Franklin County Municipal Court

Columbus small claims cases go through the Franklin County Municipal Court, Civil Division, on the 3rd floor at 375 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215. This court handles the highest volume of small claims filings in Ohio, covering the entirety of Franklin County.

The court accepts filings Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. You can also mail your complaint, but it's only officially filed once the clerk receives it, processes the fee, and timestamps it — mailing it on the deadline day doesn't count as filing that day.

Fees: Expect About $102

Franklin County's filing costs are higher than most Ohio courts:

• Base complaint (one defendant): $92 plus service fees, roughly $102 total
• Each additional defendant: $10 for certified mail, $22 for additional defendant processing
• Certified mail: $10 per defendant
• Bailiff/personal service: $25
• Subpoena: $15 per witness ($30 with bailiff service)
• Counterclaim filing: $20 plus service fees

These fees are set under Local Rule 13, Schedule 9.00, and can change with administrative updates. If you win, the magistrate typically awards court costs against the losing party — though collecting on that award is a separate step.

Low-income filers can request a fee waiver under ORC 2323.311 by submitting a Financial Disclosure / Affidavit of Indigency. If denied, you get 10-14 days to pay before the complaint is dismissed.

The Complaint Form

Franklin County uses a form titled "Small Claims Complaint" (Civil Cover Sheet Class "I"). The court's online self-help portal offers a guided form interview that walks you through filling it out — one of the few Ohio courts with this feature.

Your complaint needs:

• Full legal names and street addresses for every party
• An itemized dollar amount ($6,000 or less)
• If claiming interest, the rate and the date it started accruing
• A plain-language explanation of what happened and why you're owed money
• Your signature, notarized if filing by mail
• One original plus one copy of everything (complaint and exhibits) per defendant

If your claim is based on an account or written instrument, attach a copy of the contract, invoice, check, or account statement as required by Civil Rule 10(D). You can also include other supporting evidence, such as photos and receipts. The clerk assigns a case number (format: 2026-CVI-001234), issues a summons, and sets a hearing date.

Service and What to Do If It Fails

The clerk sends the summons by certified mail. Under ORC 1925.04, the hearing must be scheduled 15-40 days from filing, and the defendant must be served at least 7 days before the hearing.

If certified mail is returned as "Refused" or "Unclaimed," the clerk notifies you. You then file a written request for ordinary mail service — a $3 re-issuance fee in Franklin County. Under Civil Rule 4.6, ordinary mail service is complete once the clerk enters it on the docket, as long as the envelope isn't returned undeliverable.

If the address is simply wrong, neither certified nor ordinary mail will fix it. You'll need to find a valid address and submit a re-service request with another service deposit.

The Hearing

Franklin County small claims hearings are informal proceedings before a magistrate. No juries, no formal discovery, no attorneys required (though either side can bring one).

Print three sets of your evidence: the magistrate's copy, the defendant's copy, and yours. Organize exhibits in chronological order. If your dispute involves a vehicle, bring the physical certificate of title — some Ohio courts require this to prove ownership standing.

The magistrate writes a decision after the hearing. Either party has 14 days from the date the decision is filed with the clerk to file a written objection. Objections cost $20 plus service fees in Franklin County. If no objection is filed, the decision becomes enforceable only when the judge reviews, approves, and signs a final judgment entry.

Collecting Your Judgment

Winning doesn't end the process — it starts a new one. The defendant might pay voluntarily, but if they don't, you'll need to pursue post-judgment enforcement: wage garnishment, bank levies, property liens, or a debtor examination where the court compels the defendant to disclose assets.

The Ohio Small Claims Filing Guide walks through the entire process from demand letter to hearing day, with printable worksheets including a local court verification form, evidence organizer, and deadline calendar.

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