Norwalk Municipal Court, Ohio
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Documents must be submitted in PDF format.
- File type
A filing party should scan a paper exhibit and submit the exhibit as a pdf file. Al documents should be scanned or transmitted in black and white, not color. Documents appearing in color in their original form, such as color photographs, may be submitted in color.
- File type
Document Filing Requirements23 rules
For a document with multiple signatures, signatures other than the e-filer’s must be scanned and submitted electronically so the original signatures appear.
Court's wording
For documents containing multiple signatures, such as stipulations or documents requiring two or more signatures, the following procedure applies: Signatures other than the electronic filer's signature, shall be scanned and submitted electronically so the original signature(s) appear as opposed to the typed signature(s).
A praecipe for execution must be accompanied by the Clerk’s information sheet, completed with available information to facilitate execution.
Court's wording
Whenever a precipe for execution is filed with the Clerk on a judgment of the Municipal Court, there shall also be filed therewith an information sheet wherein the party issuing the execution shall provide such additional information he may have in order to facilitate such execution. Such information shall be on the form provided by the Clerk for this purpose.
Agreements of Counsel with each other or with a party or with an officer of the court shall be filed in the case.
The court shall not accept such orders unless one copy is furnished for each party to be served.
If defendant fails to answer, judgment by default will be granted on motion of same and affidavit of account filed by plaintiff;
Contents required by Common Pleas Rules; the name of the Court, the title of the action, the case number, and a designation as required in Rules of Superintendent.
Must include
- •Caption
- •Case number
A certificate of judgment SHALL BE ISSUED AND FILED for each cognovit judgment taken in the Municipal Court.
The plaintiff, or his attorney, shall provide the court with the name and address of the plaintiff and defendant, the military status of the defendant and the nature and amount of the claim by submitting in writing, in concise, non-technical form to the Court. Such writing shall be signed by the plaintiff or his Attorney, under oath.
All electronically filed pleadings must be signed by an attorney admitted to practice in the State of Ohio, or by a party if the party is not represented by an attorney.
It is required that the plaintiff appears at the first hearing date. Should the plaintiff fail to appear without leave of court, the matter shall be dismissed at Plaintiff's costs.
All requests for views of the scene by either party shall be in writing and filed with the court fourteen (14) days prior to trial with notice to the adverse party with a list of details to be pointed out to the jury by the Bailiff.
Plaintiff must furnish clerk with filing, a pre-addressed envelope to the defendant, or each defendant, postage prepaid, and affixed for certified mail.
The required default-judgment submission includes proof of loss or damage, a motion for default judgment, and an affidavit of real party in interest.
Court's wording
When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plea or otherwise defend, the clerk shall by regular U.S. mail notify the party entitled to the judgment by default by proof of loss or damage must be submitted to the court on or before the second Friday after the mailing of such notice with a motion for default judgment and affidavit of real party in interest or the case will be dismissed without prejudice at plaintiff's costs.
Failure to provide same will result in pretrial conference with the court two days prior to trial date at 4:30 p.m. The attorneys and their clients are required to be present.
The assignment, cancellation or release of judgment shall be in writing and filed as other papers in the case.
The case number, and execution number, if any, must be given when any paper is filed or attention is called to any case.
- Document
- Paper
Must include
- •Case number
Criminal complaints shall comply with Criminal Rule 3.
In all civil matters, complete jury instructions are required from the parties and shall be filed with the court no later than seven (7) days prior to trial date set for trial.
An e-filer need not submit a conventional copy but must retain the source document and produce it on request through final disposition and the appeal period.
Court's wording
The person filing electronically need not file a conventional copy with the Clerk of Court but must maintain in his or her records, and have available for production upon request by the Court, the Clerk of Court or other counsel, the source document of any document electronically filed. The filer must maintain this source document until the final disposition of the case and through any appeal period.
As soon as possible, after the error has been discovered, the filing party should submit a motion to the Clerk of Court with the case number and document number for which the correction is being requested.
- Document
- Motion to correct filing error
Should include
- •Case number
A complaint (and exhibits) must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope, if file-stamped copy is desired.
A pleading or other document requiring an attorney's signature may be physically signed or electronically signed in the following manner: "s/ (typewritten name)." The "s/ (typewritten name) format is also acceptable as a substitute for the original signature of a party.
- Document
- Electronically filed document
Include
- •S/ (typewritten name)
Proof of loss or damage may be by affidavit or direct testimony (preferably with receipts).
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Pleadings, including initial pleadings, may be filed electronically, but noncompliant filings will not be accepted.
All pleadings, including initial pleadings opening a new case, shall be accepted via electronic filing except those filings that are not in compliance with these rules.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Accepted Filings
An attorney may not authorize another person to e-file on the attorney’s behalf, and users may not use or permit another to use someone else’s password.
No attorney shall authorizer any person to electronically file on that attorney's behalf. Except as indicated herein above, no person shall utilize, or allow another person to utilize the password of another in connection with electronic filing.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Accepted Filings
Attachments and exhibits must be e-filed; items over 1 GB may be filed in separate attachments each under the 1 GB threshold.
Attachments and exhibits are to be filed electronically. A threshold of 1 GB per image has been established. Large attachments or exhibits over 1 GB may be filed electronically if they are filed in separate attachments under 1GB threshold.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Attachments and Exhibits
A filer unable to e-file because of problems on the filer’s end must file the document on paper with the Clerk.
A filer, who cannot file a document electronically due to problems on the filer's end, must file the document conventionally in paper format with the Clerk of Court.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Technical Failures
Exhibits unavailable electronically may be submitted on paper, and paper documents submitted to the Clerk’s Office should not be bound.
A party may conventionally submit exhibits which are not available in electronic format. Documents submitted to the Clerk's Office in paper format should not be bound.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Exhibits Not In Support of a Motion
In general, exhibits supporting electronically filed motions should also be e-filed.
In general, exhibits in support of motions filed electronically, should also be filed electronically..
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Exhibits In Support of Motion
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A Wednesday jury trial must be cancelled by Friday at 2:00 p.m. and a Friday jury trial by Monday at 2:00 p.m.; cancellation may be made by telephone, in writing, or in person by counsel or unrepresented parties.
In the event a jury trial is to be cancelled, the same must be done no later than Friday, by 2:00 o'clock p.m. for a Wednesday trial and no later than Monday, by 2:00 o'clock p.m. for a Friday trial by all attorneys representing the parties to such action or by the parties if they are not represented by counsel, by any of the following methods: By Telephone In Writing In Person
Page 1 | 8.1 Jury Trials
A rejected filing may be resubmitted electronically, but it receives a new filing date and time.
A rejected filing may be resubmitted via electronic filing to te Clerk of Court with a new date and time of filing assigned.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Filing Acceptance or Rejection Cycle
When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plea or otherwise defend, the clerk shall by regular U.S. mail notify the party entitled to the judgment by default by proof of loss or damage must be submitted to the court on or before the second Friday after the mailing of such notice with a motion for default judgment and affidavit of real party in interest or the case will be dismissed without prejudice at plaintiff's costs.
When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plea or otherwise defend, the clerk shall by regular U.S. mail notify the party entitled to the judgment by default by proof of loss or damage must be submitted to the court on or before the second Friday after the mailing of such notice with a motion for default judgment and affidavit of real party in interest or the case will be dismissed without prejudice at plaintiff's costs.
Page 1 | 14.1 Default Judgments
An electronic filing’s effective date and time are when it is received after upload; a rejected filing is not received.
Effective Date and Time of Filing: means the date and time the electronic filing is received after the document is uploaded to the Clerk of Court. If a filing is rejected it is not received.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Definitions
A defendant has 28 days to answer after service of summons following filing of the complaint.
Upon filing of a complaint, service of summons on defendant and the 28-day period allowed for defendant to answer:
Page 1 | 11.2 Process Control
An attorney or party challenging the authenticity of an e-filed document or signature must object within 10 days after receiving the e-filing notice.
Any attorney or party challenging the authenticity of an electronically filed document or signature on that document must file an objection to that document within ten (10) days of receiving the notice of electronic filing.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Signatures
Complete civil jury instructions must be filed no later than seven days before trial.
In all civil matters, complete jury instructions are required from the parties and shall be filed with the court no later than seven (7) days prior to trial date set for trial.
Page 1 | 8.3 Jury Trials
A small-claims trial must be set between 14 and 40 days after the action commences.
Trial shall be set not less than fourteen (14) days nor more than forty (40) days after commencement of the action.
Page 1 | 9.3 Small Claims Division
A request for a view of the scene must be filed at least 14 days before trial and notice given to the adverse party.
All requests for views of the scene by either party shall be in writing and filed with the court fourteen (14) days prior to trial with notice to the adverse party with a list of details to be pointed out to the jury by the Bailiff.
Page 1 | 8.6 Views of Scene
The Clerk receives e-filings 24/7; a filing is timely if made before midnight on its due date unless the judge sets an earlier time, using Eastern Standard Time.
The Clerk of Court shall recieve electronic documents 24 hours per day, seven (7) days per week, regardless of whether or not the Clerk's office is open. A document will be deemed timely filed prior to midnight on the due date, unless the judge has ordered the document filed by an earlier time on that date. The time at the Court (Eastern Standard) governs, rather than the time zone which the filing is made.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Hours of Operation
A filer seeking relation back after a good-faith e-filing attempt was rejected or not received through no fault of the filer must move for that relief.
If a filer has in good faith attempted to electronically file a document and it is rejected, or not received by the Clerk of Court due to no fault of the filer, and the filer wished to have the corrective filing relate back to the date and time of the original attempted filing, the filer must file a motion with the Court seeking such relief.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Filing Acceptance or Rejection Cycle
After the Clerk accepts an electronic filing, it is stamped with the date and time the Clerk’s receiving device received it.
Upon successful completion of acceptance processing by the Clerk of Court, a document filed electronically will be electronically stamped. This stamp will include the date and time that the recieving device of the Clerk of Court recieved the document.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Electronic Filed Stamp
A filing ID is assigned when the Clerk’s receiving device receives the complete filing.
Filing Acceptance or Rejection Cycle. A filing ID will be assigned to each filing when it is recieved in its entirety by the Clerk of Courts' receiving device.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Filing Acceptance or Rejection Cycle
A party whose filing is late because of a court-system failure or filer-side problems may seek appropriate relief from the Court.
A filing party whose filing is made untimely as a result of a technical failure of the Court's system or site, or as a result of the problems on the filer's end, may seek appropriate relief from the Court.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Technical Failures
When an unrepresented defendant answers, the matter will be calendared for trial within 30 days of the answer.
If defendant files an answer and is unrepresented by counsel, the matter will be placed on the court's calendar for trial within thirty days of the answer;
Page 1 | 11.2 Process Control
If both parties are represented, pretrial will be scheduled 14 days after the answer and held within 60 days.
If the parties are represented by counsel, fourteen days after answer is filed, the matter will be scheduled for pre-trial. The pre-trial will be held within sixty days.
Page 1 | 11.2 Process Control
Compute a deadline by excluding the first day and including the last, except that a last day falling on Sunday or a holiday is excluded and the next day counted.
The time within which an act is required to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last; except when the last day falls on a Sunday, or a holiday, it shall be excluded and the next day counted.
Page 1 | General — Time
An act due on a legal holiday or a day the Court is not in session is due on the next day the Court is in session.
When the day on which an act is required to be performed falls on a legal holiday or on a day the Court is not in session, then said act shall be performed on the next proceeding day the court is in session.
Page 1 | General — Holidays
The Clerk may deem the filing system to have failed if it cannot accept filings for more than one hour after 10:00 a.m.; known outages will be posted if possible.
The Clerk of Court may deem the Norwalk Municipal Clerk of Courts System site to be subject to a technical failure on a given day if the site is unable to accept filings continuously or intermittently over the course of any period of time greater that one hour after 10:00 a.m. that day. Known system outages will be posted on the website, if possible.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Technical Failures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
E-filed documents must be served under the applicable Ohio civil or criminal rule; after appearing, a party must provide an email address and service must be electronic when possible.
Documents filed electronically with the Clerk of Court shall be served in accordance with Ohio Civil Rule 5 and Ohio Criminal Rule 49. Once a party has entered an appearance in the case, the party shall furnish his or her email address, and service thereafter shall be electronic when possible.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Service of Documents
A small-claims action will be dismissed if service on the defendant is not perfected within six months.
If service upon the defendant is not perfected within six months, the action will be dismissed.
Page 1 | 9.3 Small Claims Division
Process must be issued and served under the listed Ohio Civil Procedure Rules.
Shall be issued and served according to Civil Procedure Rules 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, and 4.6.
Page 1 | 11.1 Process Control
A civil matter will be dismissed if service is not perfected within one year.
Civil matters in which service is not perfected within one year, the matter will be dismissed by the court.
Page 1 | 11.3 Process Control
Service and filing of pleadings and other papers after the original complaint must follow the Ohio Civil Rules of Procedure.
Service and filing of pleadings and other papers subsequent to the original complaint shall be in accordance with the Ohio Civil Rules of Procedure.
Page 1 | 12. Pleadings
The Bailiff or Deputy Clerk must mail notice of a personal-property sale to the parties and attorneys of record, but failure to mail notice does not invalidate the sale.
A copy of the notice of the sale of personal property shall be mailed by the Bailiff or Deputy Clerk to the parties and to attorneys of record in the case. However, failure to mail such notice shall not invalidate the sale.
Page 1 | 20. Sale of Personal Property - Notice
Filing Fees and Waivers
A $110 costs deposit is required for a cognovit judgment and includes the fee taxed for the defendant’s attorney.
Costs deposit of $110.00 required includes fee taxed for defendant's attorney.
Page 1 | 16.1 Cognovit Judgment
The Clerk may reject an e-filed document requiring a fee if the filer does not use the Court’s established fee-payment mechanism.
Any document filed electronically that requires a fee may be rejected by the Clerk of Court unless the filer complied with the mechanism established by the Court for the payment of filing fees.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Fees
A $50 fee for a jury demand is due upon filing.
Jury Demand (Due Upon Filing) $50.00
Page 1 | Effective January 1, 2026, Norwalk Municipal Court Filing Fees
At commencement of a small-claims action, the fee is $125 for one defendant and $20 for each additional defendant.
Filing fee of $ 125.00 for one defendant and $20.00 for each additional defendant at commencement of action.
Page 1 | 9.2 Small Claims Division
The party requesting a scene view must deposit $50 in advance with the Clerk for transportation costs.
The requesting party shall deposit, in advance, fifty dollars ($50.00) with the Clerk of Court, which will be applied to transportation costs.
Page 1 | 8.6 Views of Scene
A counterclaim costs $164, plus $20 for each additional defendant.
Counter-Claim $164.00 Each Additional Defendant $20.00
Page 1 | Effective January 1, 2026, Norwalk Municipal Court Filing Fees
Case deposits are collected by credit card when a filing is processed, and personal checks are not accepted.
Case deposits will be collected via user credit card at the time the filing is processed. No personal checks will be accepted.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Fees
Further proceedings in the same case or a later suit on the same cause are stayed until costs from the former action are paid, unless the court orders otherwise.
When a case in this Court is dismissed for want of prosecution, for failure to comply with an order of the court, or by plaintiff without prejudice before judgment, all of the proceedings by the plaintiff in the same case or in any subsequent suit upon the same cause of action shall be stayed until the costs in the former action are paid, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Page 1 | 21. Costs Required Before Suit
A party demanding a jury in a civil matter must deposit $360 with the pleading or demand.
In all civil matter where a jury demand is filed, the party making such demand shall make a deposit of $360.00 with the pleading or demand to cover the costs of such jury.
Page 1 | 8.4 Jury Trials
After obtaining a writ of restitution and posting the $60 bond, the plaintiff must provide the laborers needed for the eviction.
Upon plaintiff securing a writ of restitution from the court and posting the $60.00 bond, the bailiff will advise the plaintiff and defendant, in writing, the date he will perform the eviction. Plaintiff must provide the necessary laborers, etc. to effect the eviction.
Page 1 | 15.5 Forcible Entry & Detainer
Personal service by the Bailiff or Sheriff costs $30 plus mileage.
Personal Service (Bailiff/Sheriff) (Plus Mileage) $30.00
Page 1 | Effective January 1, 2026, Norwalk Municipal Court Filing Fees
The fee for an amended civil complaint is $149.
Amended Civil Complaint $149.00
Page 1 | Effective January 1, 2026, Norwalk Municipal Court Filing Fees
A cross-claim costs $164, plus $20 for each additional defendant.
Cross-Claim $164.00 Each Additional Defendant $20.00
Page 1 | Effective January 1, 2026, Norwalk Municipal Court Filing Fees
A money-only civil complaint costs $175, plus $20 for each additional defendant.
Civil Complaint (Money Only) $175.00 Each Additional Defendant $20.00
Page 1 | Effective January 1, 2026, Norwalk Municipal Court Filing Fees
Credit-card usage incurs a fee of 3%–4%.
Credit Card Usage Fee 3%-4%
Page 1 | Effective January 1, 2026, Norwalk Municipal Court Filing Fees
Ordinary mail with a certificate of mailing costs $10.
Ordinary Mail Fee (Certificate of Mailing) $10.00
Page 1 | Effective January 1, 2026, Norwalk Municipal Court Filing Fees
The certified-mail fee is $20.
Certified Mail Fee $20.00
Page 1 | Effective January 1, 2026, Norwalk Municipal Court Filing Fees
The listed jury deposit is $360.
Jury Deposit $360.00
Page 1 | Effective January 1, 2026, Norwalk Municipal Court Filing Fees
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Filing parties must omit or partially redact the listed personal identifiers and sensitive information in filings, unless the Judge orders otherwise.
Filing parties shall omit, where inclusion is necessary, partially redact the following personal data identifiers from al pleadings, documents and exhibits, whether filed electronically or on paper, unless the Judge orders otherwise. Social security numbers; Minor's names; Medical records, treatment and diagnosis; Employment history; Individual financial information; and Proprietary or trade secret information.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Orders
A party seeking to file an unredacted document must electronically file a motion to seal it.
The party seeking to file an un-redacted document shall electronically file a motion to file the document under seal.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Orders
A party may file a document containing unredacted personal data under seal with leave of court.
Parties, with leave of the Court, may file under seal a document containing the unredacted personal data.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Orders
When granting a request to seal, the Judge may require a redacted copy for the public record.
In granting the motion or application to seal, the Judge may require the party to file a redacted copy for the public record.
Page 1 | 34. eFiling — Orders
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motion hearing date and trial date shall be scheduled with agreement of all parties.
Motion hearing date and trial date shall be scheduled with agreement of all parties.
Page 1 | 11.2 Process Control
At pre-trial, all discovery should be exchanged and any motions will be schedules for hearing.
At pre-trial, all discovery should be exchanged and any motions will be schedules for hearing.
Page 1 | 11.2 Process Control
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Extensions of time follow Common Pleas Court rules, and no more than one extension may be granted.
Shall be governed by the rules established by the Common Pleas Court, but in no event shall more than one extension be granted.
Page 1 | 13. Extension of Time
A scheduled civil trial date may be changed only for good cause.
Such trial date will not be subject to change unless for good cause.
Page 1 | 11.2 Process Control