Franklin County Municipal Court Garnishment: Forms, Fees, and Filing Steps

Franklin County Municipal Court (FCMC) in Columbus handles more small claims judgments than almost any other Ohio court. If you won your judgment here and the debtor has not paid, FCMC's civil clerk division provides the forms and processes you need — but the steps are strict and the court will not walk you through them.

Before You File: The 15-Day Demand

For wage garnishment (not bank attachments), you must serve the debtor a "Notice of Court Proceeding to Collect Debt" — the 15-day demand — before the court will accept your filing. At FCMC, the process follows ORC 2716.02 exactly:

1. Complete two copies of the 15-day demand form (available as a PDF from the FCMC civil clerk website)
2. Mail one copy to the debtor's last known address via regular U.S. mail
3. Obtain a USPS Form 3817 Certificate of Mailing at the post office as your proof of service

Do not use certified mail. The statute requires the Certificate of Mailing specifically. This distinction trips up more creditors than any other step.

After mailing, wait at least 15 full calendar days. Your wage garnishment filing must reach the clerk within 45 days of the mailing date. Outside that window, you start over with a new demand.

Wage Garnishment at FCMC

Filing fee: $85.00

The wage garnishment packet at FCMC includes:

• Affidavit, Order, and Notice of Garnishment of Personal Earnings
• Instructions to the Bailiff/Clerk for Service
• Notice to Judgment Debtor and Request for Hearing forms
• Interim Report and Answer of Garnishee forms

The affidavit must be notarized — signed before a notary public or a deputy clerk. Submit the complete packet with your original USPS Form 3817, a copy of the 15-day demand you sent, and the $85 filing fee.

Filing methods:

• In person: Third-floor civil clerk counter at 375 South High Street, Columbus
• By mail: Send the complete packet to the civil clerk at the same address
• By fax: (614) 645-6919

Non-attorney filers cannot initiate civil filings online at FCMC. The fax option is often the most convenient if you cannot visit in person — but follow up to confirm receipt.

Once filed, the clerk issues the garnishment order to the debtor's employer via certified mail or bailiff service. The order runs continuously for 182 days. The employer withholds the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50/week), and remits funds to the FCMC clerk along with an Interim Report each pay period.

Bank Account Attachment at FCMC

Filing fee: $40.00

Bank attachments (garnishment of property other than personal earnings) do not require a 15-day demand. You can file immediately after obtaining your judgment entry.

The bank attachment packet includes:

• Affidavit, Order, and Notice of Garnishment of Property Other Than Personal Earnings
• Garnishee Answer Form
• Notice to Judgment Debtor and Request for Hearing Form
• A $1.00 check or money order payable directly to the target bank (the statutory garnishee fee under ORC 2716.12)

The clerk serves the order on the bank. The bank freezes all non-exempt funds up to the total judgment balance plus costs. The bank completes its answer form disclosing the balance restrained. An attachment captures only funds present in the account at the moment of service — deposits made after that point require a new filing.

Debtor Examination at FCMC

If you do not know where the debtor works or banks, a debtor examination under ORC 2333.09 puts them under oath at the courthouse. File the Motion, Affidavit, and Order for Examination of Judgment Debtor with the civil clerk. The listed FCMC filing deposit is $5.00, plus service costs. Personal or residence service by a bailiff or sheriff is required to establish proper notice for contempt proceedings if the debtor fails to appear.

At the examination, you can ask about employment, bank accounts, real property, vehicles, and other assets. Request a Subpoena Duces Tecum to require the debtor to bring financial records.

Property Execution at FCMC

For seizing personal property (vehicles, equipment), file a Praecipe for Writ of Execution with the clerk. The bailiff or Franklin County Sheriff executes the levy. Expect to advance a substantial cash deposit; Ohio advance deposits often range from $500 to $1,500 to cover towing, storage, appraisal, and auction costs.

Property must be appraised by three disinterested freeholders and cannot sell at auction for less than two-thirds of appraised value under ORC 2329.20. For most small claims judgment amounts, property execution is a last resort.

Key Contact Information

• Civil Clerk: 375 South High Street, 3rd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
• Fax: (614) 645-6919
• Website: fcmcclerk.com (search for garnishment packets under Civil Division)

The Ohio judgment collection guide covers the complete filing procedures for FCMC and other major Ohio municipal courts, including step-by-step instructions for every enforcement tool.

See more Ohio guides →