Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division Electronic Filing Rules

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026CRITICAL

A signature on an electronically transmitted document is attributed to the attorney or party it purports to be from, but an unauthorized filing must be stricken.

A. Any signature on electronically transmitted documents shall be considered that of the attorney or party it purports to be for all purposes. If it is established that the documents were transmitted without authority, the court shall order the filing stricken.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026CRITICAL

An attorney or party who registers as an e-filer agrees to electronic filing and consents to electronic service of pleadings, motions, and documents.

By registering as an e-filer, the attorney or party agrees to file documents electronically and consents to electronic service of pleadings, motions, and documents.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint or document initiating case or adding party

When e-filing a complaint or other initiating or new-party document, the filer must electronically file the case designation sheet, separate service instructions with names and addresses, the initiating document, and—if using an individual process server—a current appointment order.

When e-filing a complaint or other document initiating a case or adding a party, the e-filer must: ● electronically file a case designation sheet. ● electronically file separate instructions for service, including the names and addresses of those to be served. ● electronically file the complaint, third party complaint, or other initiating document. ● electronically file a current copy of the order appointing the individual process server if the document is to be served by a process server.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Indictment

An indictment must be electronically filed and served on defendants in accordance with Ohio Criminal Rule 49.

Indictment shall be electronically filed and served on defendants in accordance with Rule 49 of the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Document filed after initial service

After initial service is complete, documents must be e-filed and served by the EFSP on registered e-filers unless a rule or statute requires another form of service.

Unless another form of service is required by rule or statute, all documents filed after initial service has been completed, shall be e-filed and served by the EFSP on registered e-filers.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026CRITICAL

Court notice

Applies to

Answer or motion for extension of time to answer

An Answer or Motion for Extension of Time to Answer or Otherwise Plead must be e-filed with the Clerk within 28 days after receipt of the Summons and Foreclosure Complaint.

To avoid having a judgment by default taken against you, you must e-file with the Clerk of Courts your Answer or Motion for Extension of Time to Answer or Otherwise Plead within twenty-eight (28) days of your receipt of the Summons and Foreclosure Complaint, as specified on the Summons.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026INFO

A public access terminal with e-filing equipment is available during courthouse hours; printing may incur a fee, but viewing and uploading documents are free.

The clerk offers access to court records and e-filing through a public access terminal located near the clerk’s office and available during the hours of courthouse operation. The clerk may charge a fee for printing copies of e-filed and other documents. No fee is charged to view or upload documents. The public access terminal includes a scanner and all required e-filing equipment.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026INFO

The court-provided EFSP supports e-filing and e-service over the internet and can be accessed online or at a courthouse public access terminal.

“Electronic filing service provider” (“EFSP”) is the service provided by the court for e-filing and e-service of documents via the internet. The EFSP is an agent of the court for the purpose of electronic filing, receipt, service and retrieval of electronic documents. The service may be accessed at (http://web.geaugacourts.org/eservicesCP/home.page.2) or in person at the courthouse using a public access terminal.

CRITICAL?

All documents must be either electronically filed in accordance with Local Rule 6 or conventionally filed on 8 ½” x 11” paper.

CRITICAL?

Persons filing documents electronically with the clerk or the court must become registered e-filers.

CRITICAL?

Traditional paper filings are required: (1) in case types excluded from the e-filing system; (2) by pro se parties; and (3) by persons not registered with the Court’s e-filing system.

CRITICAL?

The court does not accept documents transmitted by facsimile or e-mail.

CRITICAL?

For the case types designated by court order, registered e-filers must e-file all documents except: (1) those designated as paper filing only; and (2) those which cannot be effectively electronically presented.

CRITICAL?

Applies to

Initiating document or document adding new party ?

Initial complaints, re-filed complaints, third party complaints, other documents initiating a case or adding a new party are filed but not served electronically. Summons and service cannot be issued or completed electronically and must be accomplished as required by the applicable rule or statute.

CRITICAL?

“Paper filed case types” are cases or types of filings which may not be electronically filed. Cases and documents which are not electronically filed must be presented in paper form either via U.S. Mail or in person at the clerk’s office.

Summary: Cases and filings that may not be electronically filed must be submitted in paper form by U.S. Mail or in person at the clerk’s office.

CRITICAL?Court notice

Applies to

Request for mediation

Within twenty-one (21) days of your receipt of the Summons on Complaint, you may request mediation for your case by doing the following: o Completing and eFiling a Request for Mediation . The form can be found on the Court’s website: https://courts.geauga.oh.gov/general-division/mediation/

Summary: A request for foreclosure mediation may be made within 21 days after receipt of the Summons on Complaint by completing and e-filing a Request for Mediation.

CRITICAL?Court notice

Applies to

Debtors questionnaire and estimated monthly income expenses worksheet ?

Hand delivering, emailing or mailing the Debtor’s Questionnaire and Estimated Monthly Income/Expenses Worksheet to the Court’s Mediation Department. (note that these two documents contain personal information, and should NOT be e-filed)

WARNING?

Certain documents cannot be e-filed.

WARNING?

Applies to

Certain documents

Certain documents cannot be e-filed and must be filed in paper format at the clerk’s office.

INFO?

Persons lacking access to appropriate equipment or unsure how to file electronically may file in paper form or through a public access terminal located in the Courthouse.