Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Filing Fees and Waivers
80 rules from official source documents
Filing fees, payment methods, fee waiver requirements, deferrals, and clerk payment rules. This page is scoped to Franklin County Court of Common Pleas; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.
- Applies to
- Cqe petition
Every petitioner must deposit at filing a uniform, non-refundable fee in the amount set by the Clerk and approved by the Administrative Judge.
Every petitioner must deposit a uniform, non-refundable filing fee with the Clerk at the time of filing in an amount to be set by the Clerk and approved by the Administrative Judge.
- Applies to
- Cqe petition
The filing-fee deposit must be paid before the court is required to take any action on the CQE Petition.
The deposit must be made before any action is required on a ===== PAGE 2 ===== Petition.
- Applies to
- Notice of appeal
The appellant must pay the sum specified in subsection (1)(b) to the Clerk of Courts.
The appellant shall pay to the Clerk of Courts the sum mentioned in (1)(b) below.
- Applies to
- Appeal de novo
The party filing an appeal must reimburse the county for all arbitrator fees paid in the case.
(b) (04-26-00) Payment of Appeal Fees. The party filing the appeal shall reimburse the county for all fees paid to the arbitrator or arbitrators in the case.
- Fee
- $150
- Applies to
- Appeal de novo
The appellant must deposit a $150 appeal fee with the Clerk of Courts; the payment is not taxable as costs or recoverable by the appellant.
Further, the appellant shall pay to Franklin County, Ohio, by depositing with the Clerk of Courts, One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00). The sum so paid shall not be taxed as costs in the case and shall not be recoverable by the appellant in any proceeding.
- Applies to
- Civil action or proceeding
A civil action or proceeding requires a security-for-costs deposit in the Rule 9.08 amount unless a higher amount is ordered by the trial judge.
Except as provided herein, no civil action or proceedings shall be accepted by the Clerk of Courts for filing unless there is deposited with the Clerk, as security for costs, the amount set forth in Rule 9.08, schedule of security deposits and filing fees, or such higher amount as is ordered by the trial judge.
- Applies to
- Affidavit of indigency
A non-inmate civil plaintiff claiming inability to pay costs must file a sworn Ohio Civil Rule Form 20 affidavit of indigency with the Clerk.
If the party initiating the civil action is not an inmate and believes that they are unable to pay the costs, an affidavit of indigency shall be completed, signed under oath, and filed with the Clerk using the current version of Ohio Civ. R. Form 20, pursuant to R.C. 2323.311.
- Applies to
- Civil complaint
A complete affidavit of indigency allows the Clerk to accept the complaint for filing without costs.
If the affidavit set forth in Rule 9.02 (B) is complete, the Clerk shall accept the complaint for filing without costs.
- Applies to
- Subsequent civil action
Prior unpaid court costs ordinarily must be paid before filing a later civil action, but the trial judge may waive or defer them upon a showing of indigency.
If a party owes costs to the Court from a prior action, all such costs must ordinarily be paid before the Clerk of Courts may accept for filing any subsequent civil actions. This obligation may be waived or deferred by the trial judge upon a showing of indigency under Rule 9.02(A) or (B).
- Applies to
- Praecipe for order of sale
A praecipe for an order of sale requires the Rule 9.08 security deposit.
When filing a praecipe for an order of sale with the Clerk of Courts, a security deposit in the amount as set forth in Rule 9.08 shall be deposited with the Clerk.
- Applies to
- Transferred case counterclaim or cross claim
A transferred counterclaim or cross-claim exceeding Municipal Court jurisdiction requires security for costs equal to the amount required for an original filing in Common Pleas Court.
Prior to the Clerk accepting a case transferred from the Franklin County Municipal Court, in which the demand contained in the counterclaim or cross-claim exceeds the monetary jurisdiction of that court, the counterclaimant or cross-claimant shall post security for costs in the sum equal to the amount required if the case had originally been filed in this Court.
- Applies to
- Jury demand deposit
Failure to make the jury-demand deposit by the applicable deadline waives jury trial unless the court permits a late deposit for good cause.
Failure to make the jury demand deposit within the time allotted shall constitute a final waiver of a jury trial unless the Court for good cause permits a late-filed deposit.
- Applies to
- Civil complaint
The filing fee for civil complaints in Categories A, B, C, D, H, and H3 is $225.00.
Civil Complaints - Filing Categories A,B,C,D, H and H3
- Applies to
- Foreclosure complaint
The filing fee for a foreclosure civil case complaint in Category E is $300.00.
Civil Case Complaint (Foreclosure) - Filing Category E
- Applies to
- Administrative appeal
The filing fee for an administrative appeal in Category F is $100.00.
Administrative Appeals - Filing Category F
- Applies to
- Confession of judgment
The filing fee for a confession of judgment in Category H1 is $100.00.
Confession of Judgment (Cognovit) – Filing Category H1
- Applies to
- Third party complaint
The filing fee for a third-party complaint with service upon each new party defendant is $25.00.
Third Party Complaint with service upon each new party defendant
- Applies to
- Certificate of judgment
The filing fee for a certificate of judgment from a Franklin County Common Pleas Court judgment in Category JG2 is $51.00.
Filing of Certificate of Judgment from a Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judgment – Filing Categories JG2
- Applies to
- Foreign judgment domestication
The fee for domesticating a foreign judgment, including service, in Category JG2 is $51.00.
Domesticating a Foreign Judgment (Includes Service) – Filing Categories JG2
- Applies to
- Transferred certificate of judgment
The filing fee for a transferred certificate of judgment from a U.S. District Court or Ohio Court of Record in Category JG1 is $46.00.
Certificate of Judgment Transferred to Franklin County Common Pleas Court from a U.S. District Court or an Ohio Court of Record – Filing Categories JG1
- Applies to
- Certificate of judgment for transfer
The fee for preparing a certificate of judgment for transfer is $7.00.
Preparation of a Certificate of Judgment for Transfer
- Applies to
- Certificate of judgment release
The fee for a release or partial release of a certificate of judgment is $5.00.
Release or Partial Release of Certificate of Judgment
- Applies to
- Order in aid proceedings judgment debtor exam
The fee for order-in-aid proceedings involving a judgment-debtor examination is $25.00.
Order in Aid Proceedings (Judgment Debtor Exam)
- Applies to
- Order in aid proceedings other property
The fee for order-in-aid proceedings concerning property other than personal earnings is $25.00.
Order in Aid Proceedings (Property other than Personal Earnings)
- Applies to
- Order in aid proceedings other property
An additional $1.00 fee applies per bank address for the specified order-in-aid proceeding.
Plus Per Bank Address
- Applies to
- Order in aid garnishment of personal earnings
The fee for an order-in-aid proceeding involving garnishment of personal earnings is $35.00.
Order in Aid Proceeding (Garnishment of Personal Earnings)
- Applies to
- Praecipe for writ of execution
The filing fee for a praecipe for a writ of execution in Category EX is $103.00.
Praecipe for a Writ of Execution – Filing Category EX
- Fee
- 44 $
- Applies to
- Subsequent or alias execution
A subsequent or alias execution on the same case requires a $44.00 fee.
Subsequent or Alias Executions on the Same Case $ 44.00
- Fee
- 350 $
- Applies to
- Arbitration
Arbitration under Local Rule 103.04C requires a total fee of $350.00, consisting of $175.00 from each party.
Arbitration-Local Rule 103.04C ($175.00 Each party) $350.00
- Fee
- 150 $
- Applies to
- Appeal de novo
A de novo appeal requires a $150.00 fee.
Appeal de novo $150.00
- Fee
- 50 $
- Applies to
- Certificate of qualification for employment
A Certificate of Qualification for Employment requires a $50.00 fee.
Certificates of Qualification for Employment $ 50.00
- Fee
- 4 $
- Applies to
- Certificate to copies
A Certificate to Copies, also called an Exemplification or Triple Seal, requires a $4.00 fee.
Certificate to Copies (aka Exemplification or Triple Seal) $ 4.00
- Fee
- 50 $
- Applies to
- Criminal expungement or sealing of record
Criminal expungement or sealing of the record requires a $50.00 fee.
Criminal Expungement/Sealing of the Record $ 50.00
- Fee
- 300 $
- Applies to
- Jury demand
A normal jury demand requires a $300.00 deposit.
Normal Jury Demand Deposit $300.00
- Fee
- 5 $
- Applies to
- Lis pendens action
A lis pendens action in Filing Category LP requires a $5.00 filing fee.
Lis Pendens Action - Filing Category LP $ 5.00
- Fee
- 45 $
- Applies to
- Miscellaneous case non adversarial issue
A miscellaneous case involving a non-adversarial issue in Filing Categories MS requires a $45.00 fee.
Miscellaneous Case (Non-Adversarial Issue) - Filing Categories MS $ 45.00
- Fee
- 25 $
- Applies to
- Miscellaneous case public record dispute
A miscellaneous case involving a public-record dispute in Filing Categories MS4 requires a $25.00 fee.
Miscellaneous Case (Public Record Dispute) - Filing Categories MS4 $ 25.00
- Fee
- 15 $
- Applies to
- Motion or petition to vacate revive or modify judgment
A motion or petition to vacate, revive, or modify a judgment requires a $15.00 fee.
Motion or Petition to Vacate, Revive or Modify Judgment $ 15.00
- Fee
- 600 $
- Applies to
- Praecipe for order of sale alias pluries or partition
A praecipe for an order of sale, alias, pluries, or partition requires a $600.00 fee per parcel.
Praecipe for Order of Sale, Alias, Pluries and in Partition (per parcel) $600.00
- Fee
- 500 $
- Applies to
- Official public sheriff sale system license
An Official Public Sheriff Sale Website or Integrated Auction Management System license requires a $500.00 fee.
Official Public Sheriff Sale Web Site/Integrated Auction Management System License Fee $500.00
- Fee
- 14 $
- Applies to
- Praecipe for writ of partition
A praecipe for a writ of partition requires a $14.00 fee.
Praecipe for Writ of Partition $ 14.00
- Fee
- 44 $
- Applies to
- Praecipe for writ of possession
A praecipe for a writ of possession, or Habere Facias, requires a $44.00 fee.
Praecipe for Writ of Possession (Habere Facias) $ 44.00
- Fee
- 44 $
- Applies to
- Praecipe for writ of restitution
A praecipe for a writ of restitution requires a $44.00 fee.
Praecipe for a Writ of Restitution $ 44.00
- Fee
- 600 $
- Applies to
- Praecipe for writ of vendi exponas
A praecipe for a writ of vendi exponas requires a $600.00 fee.
Praecipe for a Writ of Vendi Exponas $600.00
- Fee
- 10 $
- Applies to
- Subpoena served by sheriff
A subpoena served by a sheriff requires a $10.00 fee.
Subpoena - Service by a Sheriff $ 10.00
- Fee
- 1 $
- Applies to
- Certified copy
A certified copy requires a $1.00 fee.
Certified Copy $ 1.00
- Fee
- 2 $
- Applies to
- Notary signature verification document
A Notary Signature Verification Document requires a $2.00 fee.
Notary Signature Verification Document $ 2.00
- Applies to
- Extraordinary appointed counsel fees
Extraordinary fees above the Section 77.16 amounts are allowable only for complex cases and require prior approval from the assigned judge.
Fees in excess of those specified in 77.16 are classified as extraordinary fees and are allowable only for complex cases as defined in 77.17, and only when prior approval of the assigned judge is obtained and under the following limitations
- Applies to
- Extraordinary appointed counsel fees
The assigned judge may authorize extraordinary fees up to a total fee authorization of two times the Section 77.16 fee.
Authorization of extraordinary fees in an amount not to exceed a total fee authorization of two times the fee set forth in 77.16.
- Applies to
- Extraordinary appointed counsel fees
The judge may authorize the Section 77.16 fee plus additional fees for trial hours exceeding the Section 77.16 allowance, calculated at the then-current hourly trial rate.
Authorize the fee set forth in 77.16 plus additional fees in an amount not to exceed an additional fee equal to the number of hours of trial time in excess of that provided in 77.16 at the then-current hourly rate for trial time.
- Fee
- 30000 $
- Applies to
- Assigned counsel fee reimbursement
For aggravated murder, the stated maximum authorized fee is $30,000, consisting of $15,000 in base fees and $15,000 in additional fees.
Aggravated murder, maximum allowable base fees: $ 15,000 Additional fees $ 15,000 Total Authorized Fee, two times the fee set forth in 77.16 $ 30,000
- Applies to
- Subsequent post conviction petition
Every post-conviction petition after the first must be accompanied by the filing fee specified in R.C. 2303.20(T).
Subsequent petitions shall be accompanied by a filing fee as set forth in R.C. 2303.20(T).
- Applies to
- Pro se party submission
The Clerk’s electronic filing for a paying pro se litigant requires payment of the applicable deposit or filing fee.
Provided that the required deposit and /or filing fees have been paid, the Clerk will then e-File the same through the e-Filing System, listing the pro se party as the filer.
- Applies to
- Mandatory e-file filings
In mandatory e-file case types, filing fees, cost deposits, and other costs must be paid by credit card when the document is submitted, subject to Section XX.
Except as specifically provided for in Section XX, in all mandatory e-File case types, deposits as security for costs, filing fees and all other costs shall be paid by credit card at the time a document is submitted for e-Filing.
- Applies to
- Affidavit of indigence
If an indigent party’s affidavit is rejected and the party fails to pay the applicable fees and cost deposit after proper notice, the case will be dismissed.
In the event the affidavit of indigence is rejected by the assigned judge and, after proper notice, the indigent party fails to pay the applicable filing fees and deposit as security for costs, the case will be dismissed.
- Fee
- $215
- Applies to
- Online Auction Fee
The Online Auction Fee is $215 through February 28, 2019, and $220 beginning March 1, 2019.
The fee charged shall be $215 up to February 28, 2019, and $220 from March 1, 2019 going forward.
- Fee
- $220
Realauction.com charges $220, or $215 before March 1, 2019, and will not refund the fee.
Realauction.com will not refund the $220 fee (or $215 if prior to March 1, 2019).
- Applies to
- Appeal de novo
A party may request waiver of the appeal payment by concurrently filing a poverty motion and affidavit with the Notice of Appeal de Novo.
A party, desiring to appeal an award, may concurrently with the filing of a Notice of Appeal de Novo file with the assigned judge a written motion and affidavit averring that by reason of poverty the party is unable to make the payments required for an appeal and requesting the Court to allow an appeal de novo without payment of the amount specified above in (1)(b).
- Applies to
- Civil case costs
After assignment, the trial judge may reassess a party's ability to pay and order payment of all or part of the costs.
Once the case is assigned, the trial judge may make further inquiry into the party's ability to pay costs, or a part thereof. If the trial judge determines that the party has the ability to pay costs, or a part thereof, such may be assessed, and payment shall be made as directed by the trial judge.
- Applies to
- Jury demand deposit
The trial judge may alter the jury-deposit deadline and increase the deposit amount for specified or other reasons.
In any civil case the trial judge may order a different deadline for making the jury deposit; and may order that the jury deposit amount be higher than normal to accommodate a trial involving multiple parties, likely to require additional alternate jurors, anticipated to be unusually protracted, or for other reasons.
- Applies to
- Publication
The fee for publication in a newspaper of local circulation is the current rate.
Publication in any newspaper of local circulation
- Applies to
- Fee application
A fee application submitted more than 30 days after the case disposition date will have the requested fees reduced by 50%.
All fee applications submitted more than thirty (30) days after the case disposition date will be reduced by 50%.
- Applies to
- Extraordinary assigned counsel fees
Under Option 2, the assigned judge may authorize additional compensation based on in-court hours exceeding the average trial time referenced in Rule 77.17.
Assigned Judge can authorize amount equal to the number of hours of trial (In-Court hours) in excess of average trial time referenced in 77.17.
- Fee
- 75 $/hr
- Applies to
- Extraordinary assigned counsel fees
Under Option 2, the authorized fee is calculated at $75 per hour for trial time exceeding that provided in Rule 77.17.
Total Authorized Fee, equal to the number of hours of trial time in excess of that provided in 77.17 at the rate of $75/hr
- Applies to
- Miscellaneous proceedings initiated by columbus bar association
No advance local filing-fee deposit is required for Columbus Bar Association miscellaneous proceedings, but the court will assess costs at the end of each case as it deems just.
The Clerk of Courts shall require no advance deposit towards the local filing fee for miscellaneous proceedings initiated by the Columbus Bar Association pursuant to this Local Rule. At the conclusion of each case the court shall assess court costs in the manner deemed just.
- Applies to
- Subsequent post conviction petition
A petitioner alleging inability to pay the filing fee must follow the procedures in R.C. 2969.25(C).
If a petitioner alleges that he/she is unable to pay the filing fee, the procedures set forth in R.C. 2969.25(C) shall apply.
- Applies to
- Title insurance invoice
The title-policy and related commitment expenses stated in the invoice must be taxed as costs in the case.
The amount of the invoice shall be taxed as costs in the case.
- Fee
- $1
- Applies to
- Service copies
The Clerk charges $1.00 per produced service copy and assesses the charge as costs against funds on deposit.
the Clerk shall charge a fee of $1.00 per service copy produced and shall assess those fees as costs against the funds on deposit.
- Applies to
- Mandatory e-file filings
Qualifying prisoners, some pro se filers with indigent status, and some government agencies may have costs deferred after validation of their status.
Prisoners and some pro se filers who qualify for indigent status, along with some government agencies, will need to have their costs deferred, and the Clerk and/or the Court will need to validate that those parties are in fact indigent or that they represent a qualifying government agency.
- Applies to
- Online Auction Fee
The Online Auction Fee is waived for filings by the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and for an Alias Praecipe for Order of Sale.
The fee shall be waived whenever the filer is the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office or the filed document is an Alias Praecipe for Order of Sale.
The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office must pay applicable Realauction.com fees directly to Realauction.com.
The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office will pay any fees applicable to it directly to Realauction.com
The authorized e-filing system must provide an electronic method for paying deposits and fees and for filing an affidavit of indigence.
The authorized e-Filing System will establish a method for ac c epting payments of deposits and fees electronically, including the process for filing an affidavit of indigence.
- Applies to
- Printed copy
Users must pay the Clerk's established rates for printed copies of e-filed documents.
Users shall be charged for printed copies of documents at rates established by the Clerk.
- Applies to
- Cqe petition
The filing-fee deposit may be paid in cash or any other payment form accepted by the Clerk.
The deposit may be made in cash or in any form of payment otherwise acceptable to the Clerk.
- Fee
- $75
- Applies to
- Appointed counsel representation
The hourly fee is $75 for time spent in court and $75 for time spent out of court for cases covered by R.C. 120.33(A)(3).
cases covered by R.C. 120.33(A)(3) are: $75 per hour for time spent in Court, and $75 per hour for time spent out of Court
- Applies to
- Appointed counsel representation
Payment is limited to the maximum amounts applicable to Common Pleas–General Division courts in the incorporated Franklin County Board of Commissioners Resolution.
Payment will be made up to the maximum amounts, applicable to Common Pleas – General Division courts, contained in the attachment to the most recent Franklin County Board of Commissioners Resolution. 0887-21, adopted November 9, 2021, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
- Applies to
- Appointed counsel representation
A complex case includes multiple counts involving separate incidents that require extraordinary trial-preparation time documented on Ohio Public Defender Form OPD-1028.
A complex case is defined as: 1. A case involving multiple counts dealing with multiple separate incidents which will require an extraordinary amount of trial preparation time, which is documented on the Ohio Public Defender Form: “Attorney Time Log, OPD-1028” as referenced in Section I(F) of the Ohio Public Defender’s Standards and Guidelines for Appointed Counsel Reimbursement, current edition; or,
- Applies to
- Appointed counsel representation
A trial exceeding 13 days for aggravated murder without death specifications, 8 days for murder, or 5 days for any other felony is classified as complex.
2. A trial which continues beyond the following periods: Trial Length* i. Aggravated Murder (without death specifications) 13 days ii. Murder 8 days iii. Any other felony 5 days
- Fee
- $15000
- Applies to
- Extraordinary appointed counsel fees
For an aggravated-murder case without death specifications, the example identifies a $15,000 base maximum and permits the assigned judge to authorize up to an additional $15,000.
Case: Aggravated Murder case Maximum fee amount - $15,000* (base fees) (without death specifications) Option 1 Assigned Judge can authorize an additional maximum fee amount of $15,000 (additional fees)
- Applies to
- First post conviction petition
No filing costs may be charged for the first post-conviction petition.
No costs shall be charged for the first post conviction petition.
Are filing fees or waivers addressed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas?
A fee is required for covered filings. Every petitioner must deposit at filing a uniform, non-refundable fee in the amount set by the Clerk and approved by the Administrative Judge.
Are filing fees or waivers addressed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas?
A fee is required for covered filings. The appellant must pay the sum specified in subsection (1)(b) to the Clerk of Courts.
Are filing fees or waivers addressed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas?
A fee is required for covered filings. The party filing an appeal must reimburse the county for all arbitrator fees paid in the case.
Are filing fees or waivers addressed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas?
A fee is required for covered filings. A civil action or proceeding requires a security-for-costs deposit in the Rule 9.08 amount unless a higher amount is ordered by the trial judge.
Are filing fees or waivers addressed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas?
A fee is required for covered filings, and the rule identifies waiver availability. A non-inmate civil plaintiff claiming inability to pay costs must file a sworn Ohio Civil Rule Form 20 affidavit of indigency with the Clerk.
Are filing fees or waivers addressed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas?
The rule does not require a fee for the covered filing. A complete affidavit of indigency allows the Clerk to accept the complaint for filing without costs.
Related categories
Back to all rules for this courtPage & Word Limits
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.