Allen County Court of Common Pleas, General Division Service and Proof of Service Rules

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Legal notice

Service

Publication

For service by publication, counsel must file a praecipe and legal notice with a general-circulation newspaper, pay the publisher directly, provide the notice to the Clerk, and submit proof of publication after publication is complete.

On cases of “Service by Publication”, the party desiring such service shall file a praecipe and legal notice with any newspaper of general circulation and the cost of such service shall be paid directly to the publisher by counsel. Counsel shall provide a copy of the legal notice to the Clerk of Courts for filing. A proof of publication shall be forwarded to the Clerk upon completion of publication for filing in the appropriate case.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Service

Publication

Service of process by posting may be accomplished at the designated Clerk of Courts-Title Office and Municipal Hall of Justice locations, in addition to the courthouse, or their relocated locations.

Pursuant to the requirements of Civ. R. 4.4, this Court designates two (2) additional public places in the County, in addition to the Courthouse, where publication of service of process by “posting” shall be had, to-wit: (1) the Clerk of Courts-Title Office, 419 North Elizabeth Street, Lima, Ohio, or any other location to which it might relocate; or (2) the Municipal Hall of Justice, 109 North Union Street, Lima, Ohio, or any other location to which it might relocate.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Service

Publication

The clerk must post the requisite notice conspicuously at the designated locations for six consecutive weeks, then remove it, complete and file the return of service, and notify counsel as required by law.

The Clerk of this Court shall cause the requisite notice to be posted in a conspicuous place and manner in the above denominated places for the requisite six (6) consecutive weeks. Upon completion of posting for six (6) consecutive weeks, the Clerk shall remove the notice, complete the return of service, file the same, and notify counsel as provided by law.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for service by posting

Service

Publication

A Motion for Service by Posting must be filed with an affidavit from a party or the party’s counsel.

this Court requires the filing of a Motion for Service by Posting which shall include an affidavit of a party or party’s counsel as outlined in said rule.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

A document requiring service or notice upon filing must include plaintiff and defendant addresses in its caption or state that those addresses are unknown when they are in fact unknown.

All documents requiring service or notice upon filing shall: (a) Include the address of the plaintiffs and defendants in the caption of the document; or (b) Indicate that the addresses of the plaintiffs and defendants are unknown if such addresses are in fact unknown.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

The clerk will not accept a document for filing if it must be served on counsel or parties but does not designate their names and addresses.

The Clerk shall not accept for filing any document that must be served upon counsel or parties that does not designate their names and addresses.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Service

Mail

Unless service is specifically requested by praecipe, service will be completed by certified mail.

Unless specifically requested by praecipe, service will be perfected by certified mail.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

The clerk does not accept letters requesting service; service requests must be made by praecipe.

No letters for service will be accepted as service requests must be made by praecipe.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

New case filing

Service

Mail

When a new case filing lacks a praecipe, the Clerk must proceed with service by certified mail.

If a praecipe is not included with a new case filing, then the Clerk of Courts shall proceed with service by certified mail [see Loc.R. 2.15(B)(3) for service to Allen County agencies].

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

The Clerk must not attempt service on an unknown party at an unknown address, even when a praecipe is provided.

The Clerk shall not attempt service on an “unknown party” at an “unknown address”, even if presented with a praecipe.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Notices required by these rules must be sent to the party's attorney of record at the address last specified in the pleadings.

All notices required by these Rules to be served upon a party in an action shall be sent to the party’s attorney-of-record at the address last specified on the pleadings.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Service

Mail to court

The Clerk of Courts must send the specified notice and information forms to each identified court by ordinary U.S. mail.

(G) The Clerk of Courts shall send a Notice to Court Regarding Petition for Certificate of Qualification for Employment [Form C] and Submission of Information Regarding Petition for Certificate of Qualification for Employment [Form E] to each court so identified. Such Notice shall be sent via ordinary US mail.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Unless an exception under Criminal Rule 16(C), (D), (E), (F), or (J) applies, the Prosecutor must deliver defense counsel a discovery package no later than seven days after the defendant’s discovery demand.

11.01 Prosecutor’s Duties No later than seven (7) days after the demand for discovery is made by the defendant, except as provided in Crim. R. 16 (C), (D), (E), (F), or (J), the Prosecutor shall deliver to defense counsel a discovery package to include the following:

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Written demand for discovery

The defense attorney must serve a copy of the written demand for discovery upon the Prosecutor.

Within twenty-one days after arraignment or seven days before the date of trial, whichever is earlier, or at such reasonable time later as the court may permit, the defense attorney shall file a written demand for discovery and serve a copy of the written demand upon the Prosecutor.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons

Service

Court service

The Clerk of Courts must issue the summons and serve the pleading in accordance with the governing rule or statute.

The Clerk of Courts shall issue a summons and serve the pleading in accordance with the applicable rule or statute.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Service

Electronic service to all parties

Electronic service of a subsequent pleading, filing, or document in an e-filed case is valid, effective service on parties designated in the certificate of service and has the same legal effect as service of an original paper document.

The electronic service of a subsequent pleading, filing, or other documents in all types of e-filed cases shall be considered as valid and effective service on all parties so designated in the certificate of service and shall have the same legal effect as an original paper document served pursuant to the applicable Rules of Procedure.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Service

Personal service

The filing party must serve a paper copy on pro se parties and attorneys not registered with the Court’s electronic filing system, as required by the applicable Rules of Procedure.

Pro se parties or attorneys who have not registered with the Court’s electronic filing system shall be served a paper copy by the filing party, not the Court or Clerk of Courts, in accordance with the applicable Rules of Procedure.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Electronically filed document

Every electronically filed document must include a certificate of service for all parties.

(B) A certificate of service for all parties is required when a party files a document electronically.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Service

Court service to opposing party

The Clerk of Courts must serve a copy of the local rule on the opposing party with the original pleadings.

(4) The Clerk of Courts shall serve a copy of this Local Rule upon the opposing party with the original pleadings in each case.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Service

Personal service

When a pro se party files a pleading, the Clerk must personally provide that party with a copy of the local rule.

If the filing party is filing pro se, the Clerk shall personally provide the filing party with a copy of this Rule.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Service

Mail

Before relocating, a parent must serve the other parent with a notice of intent to relocate by certified mail.

Prior to the relocation of either parent to a residence other than that specified in the parenting order or decree of the Court, the relocating parent must serve a notice of intent to relocate upon the other parent by certified mail.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

The clerk must attach the rule to the summons, serve it simultaneously with the complaint, and have the serving officer note that service in the return.

The Clerk of this Court shall attach a copy of this Rule to the summons so that both documents shall be served simultaneously and the Sheriff or other officer serving the summons shall note the service of a copy of this rule together with a copy of the complaint in the return.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Unless the court already served a proposed order through the e-filing system, the party that submitted or approved it must serve the receiver or receiver’s counsel and all appearing parties.

Unless it is clear that service has already been made by the Court using the e-filing system, the party who submitted or approved a proposed order entered by the court is responsible for serving it upon the receiver or receiver’s counsel and upon all parties who have appeared

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

The party making service must file proof of service.

Proof of service must be filed by the party making service.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Plan or report

Each receiver's plan and report must be filed with the Clerk and served on all parties who have appeared or for whom service remains pending.

Copies of each receiver’s plan and report shall be filed with the Clerk, with service upon all parties who have made an appearance or for whom service remains pending.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Service

Electronic service to agency

The Clerk may serve Allen County agencies electronically or by hand-delivery when signature requirements are satisfied.

except the Clerk, at his/her discretion, may serve any agency of Allen County, Ohio, to which service is required, by electronic means or hand-delivery, provided all signature requirements are satisfied.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Service

Electronic service

Electronic service is available to an attorney or party that has registered as an e-filer with the Clerk of Courts.

Such service may be conducted via electronic means if an attorney or party has registered as an e-filer with the Clerk of Courts.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Service

Electronic service

Facsimile and e-mail transmissions are not electronic service for purposes of the e-filing rules.

Electronic service does not include facsimile or e-mail.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Except when law permits or requires otherwise, the Clerk of Courts is not responsible for serving documents filed by a party.

Unless otherwise permitted and/or mandated by law, the Clerk of Courts is not responsible for the service of documents filed by a party to the case.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

In every other newly filed action, the standing orders bind the parties once served.

In every other action hereinafter filed, the parties shall be bound by the terms of these standing orders upon service of the same.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026INFO

Service

Mail

Electronic return receipts may be used for certified mail service, and electronic proof of service for certified or express mail sent by the Court satisfies the civil procedure service requirements, but electronic return receipts are not mandatory.

The Clerk of Courts is authorized to use electronic return receipts from the United States Postal service for certified mail service. Electronic proof of service for certified or express mail sent by the Court shall be deemed in compliance with the service requirements of the Rules of Civil Procedure. The use of electronic return receipts is not mandatory.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Such attorney or party shall likewise serve such notice on other counsel or pro se parties of record in such pending litigation in conformity with Civil Rule 5.

Summary: The bankruptcy notice must also be served on other counsel and pro se parties of record in conformity with Civil Rule 5.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Written motion

Unless a different period is fixed under these rules or by order of the court, a written motion for purposes of a hearing that is not a trial shall be served no later than fourteen days prior to the hearing, and a written motion for purposes of a trial shall be served no later than twenty-eight days prior to the start of trial.

Summary: Unless another period is fixed by rule or court order, non-trial hearing motions must be served at least 14 days before the hearing and trial-purpose motions at least 28 days before trial begins.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Trial motion ?

A written motion for purposes of a trial shall be served no later than twenty-eight days prior to the start of trial.

Summary: A written motion for trial purposes must be served no later than 28 days before trial begins.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Motion response ?

Responses to a written motion, other than motions for summary judgment, may be served within fourteen days after service of the motion. Thereafter, the motion shall be deemed submitted to the judge to whom the case is assigned. A movant’s reply to the response is not permitted.

Summary: Responses to non-summary-judgment written motions may be served within 14 days after service, after which the motion is deemed submitted; the movant's reply is not permitted.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Summary judgment response ?

Service

Personal service ?

Responses to motions for summary judgment may be served within twenty-eight days after service of the motion.

Summary: Responses to summary-judgment motions may be served within 28 days after service of the motion.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Reply brief ?

A movant’s reply to a response to any written motion may be served within seven days after service of the response to the motion.

Summary: A movant may serve a reply to a response to any written motion within seven days after service of the response.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Arbitration exceptions ?

(B) Copies of any motion, affidavit, and exception shall be served upon the opposing parties according to law.

Summary: Copies of any motion, affidavit, and exception must be served on opposing parties according to law.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Service

Electronic service to all parties ?

Each party filing a document electronically is responsible for serving all other parties in accordance with the applicable Rules of Procedure.

Summary: Each party filing electronically is responsible for serving all other parties under the applicable procedural rules.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Service

Mail

After journalization the Clerk shall serve a certified copy of the order on the affected party at the address in the complaint, counsel of record for the affected party, if any, and any other individual or institution affected by the order. All service shall be by certified U.S. Mail unless otherwise requested.

Summary: After an ex parte restraining order is journalized, the Clerk must serve a certified copy by certified U.S. Mail on the affected party, counsel if any, and any other affected person or institution, unless another method is requested.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

The notice of hearing/show cause order shall be served with the motion and citation pursuant to the Civil Rules.

Summary: The notice of hearing or show-cause order must be served with the motion and citation under the Civil Rules.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Magistrates decision ?

Service

Court service to all parties ?

A Magistrate’s decision shall be filed with the Clerk and served by the Clerk upon all parties or their attorneys within three (3) days of filing.

Summary: The Clerk must serve a Magistrate’s decision on all parties or their attorneys within three days after filing.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Objection

(D) A party may file written objections to a parenting coordinator’s decision with the Court and serve all other parties to the action within fourteen days of the filing date of the decision.

Summary: A party filing written objections to a parenting coordinator’s decision must serve all other parties within fourteen days of the decision’s filing date.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Objection

If any party timely files objections, any other party may also file objections with the Court and serve all other parties to the action, not later than ten days after the first objections are filed.

Summary: Any other party may file and serve objections within ten days after the first objections are filed.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Complaint

(D) A copy of the complaint shall be provided to the parenting coordinator.

Summary: A copy of the parenting-coordinator complaint must be provided to the parenting coordinator.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Service shall be deemed complete for purposes of these Rules upon the sending of the notice.

Summary: For purposes of the exhibit, deposition, and transcript release rules, service is complete when the notice is sent.