Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas, General Division Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Civil cases filed electronically must use the updated Proposed Order Template.

The Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas has updated the Proposed Order Template that is required to be used when electronically filing in Civil cases pursuant to Loc. R. 11.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Replevin action

Parties filing a replevin action must file a replevin complaint, a replevin notice of hearing and request for hearing, and a replevin motion for possession.

Parties filing an action in Replevin must file the following documents as listed in the document type selections: 1. Replevin Complaint 2. Replevin Notice of Hearing and Request for Hearing 3. Replevin Motion for Possession

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of agreed judgment entry

Parties must select Notice of Agreed Judgment Entry as the document type when attaching an agreed judgment entry for judicial review and signature.

Parties shall select the Notice of Agreed Judgment Entry as a document type in order to attach an Agreed Judgment Entry for judicial review and signature.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certificate of service

Must include

certificate of service

A certificate of service must be signed under applicable Ohio rules and laws and include the prescribed certification language identifying email service on counsel and regular-mail service on unregistered self-represented litigants.

The Certificate of Service shall be signed in accordance with applicable Ohio court rules and laws, including these Rules and shall contain the following language: "I hereby certify that on (date) I served this document in accordance with Civ.R. 5 by electronic mail on the following: (list counsel of record with e-mail addresses) AND by regular mail upon the following: (list self-represented litigants who are not registered users of the Court's e-filing system).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Poverty affidavit

A poverty affidavit submitted instead of a cash deposit must explain the inability to prepay costs and is subject to court review before the initial pleading is accepted for filing.

A poverty affidavit filed in lieu of a cash deposit must state the reasons for the inability to prepay costs and is subject to court review prior to acceptance of the initial pleading for filing.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Final pretrial brief

Unless the judge directs otherwise, a final pre-trial brief must include the listed descriptions and lists concerning claims, damages, defenses, evidentiary disputes, witnesses, and exhibits.

The following shall be included in a final pre-trial brief unless otherwise directed by the assigned judge: A. a brief description of parties' claims to be read to the jury at voir dire; B. a brief listing of damages; C. a brief listing of defenses; D. anticipated evidentiary disputes; ===== PAGE 14 ===== E. identity of witnesses; F. list of exhibits.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury trial documents

Counsel and self-represented parties must file proposed jury instructions, juror interrogatories, and jury forms before the final pre-trial date.

Counsel of record and self-represented parties shall also file proposed jury instructions, juror interrogatories and jury forms prior to the date of the final pre-trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Dispositive entry

A dispositive entry must state which designated party or parties are assessed court costs.

The dispositive entry shall indicate the assessment of court costs to the designated party or parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court document

Must include

caption, judge name, case number

Every filed document must include the specified case, document, filer, and service-identifying information.

Any document filed with the court must include the following identifying information: a. Proper case caption including the first and last name of the first-party pla intiff and first-party defendant, case number, and the proper name of the assigned judge; b. Title of the document to be filed; c. Name, address, telephone number, facsimile number and e-mail address of the filer; d. If the filer is an attorney, the attorney registration number; the name of the law firm or company if applicable; and the name of the party whom the attorney represents; e. Instruction for service or a certificate of service.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Initial pleading

Must include

caption

Every initial pleading must state each party’s name and, if known, address in the caption.

The caption in every initial pleading shall state the name and address, if known, of each party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

Must include

caption

A complaint must state its category in the caption as designated in Local Rule 8.02.

Complaints shall state the category of the complaint in the caption as designated herein in Local Ru le 8.02.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Initial pleading

Must include

caption, case number

When a case is refiled, its initial pleading must reference the prior case number in the caption.

In the event a case is being refiled, the caption in the initial pleading shall reference the prior case number to ensure proper assignment of the refiled case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

Complaints other than those naming only individuals, and the specified related pleadings, must provide plaintiff entity and registration information and state the basis for proceeding if the entity is not properly registered in Ohio.

All complaints (except those wherein only individuals are named) shall set forth the name, address, designation of entity, registration status with the Ohio Secretary of State and/or registration status with another state if the entity is not registered in Oh io, for all plaintiffs or complaining party. If the plaintiff(s) or the complaining party is not a business entity licensed or otherwise registered to do business in the State of Ohio, that entity shall state the basis for permission to file a legal action in the State of Ohio without the proper registration status. This rule shall also apply to all counterclaims, cross complaints and third-party complaints.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Pleadings must contain a signature.

G. Pleadings must contain a signature;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Must include

certificate of service

Pleadings must include a certificate of service.

H. Plead ings must include a certificate of service;

CRITICAL

Applies to

E file submission

Registered Users must remove metadata and non-public data, including listed identifying and sensitive information, from all e-file submissions.

Removal of Certain Identifiers: In addition, the Registered Users must remove al l metadata and non-public data from all e-file submissions, including but not limited to the following: identifying numerals in a social security number; financial account numbers; medical records; driver's license numbers; and other identifying information.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading or motion

Pleadings and motions must bear the Registered User's signature or e-signature; without an e-signature, the signed original pleading PDF must be uploaded.

Signature Requirements: As indicated above, all pleadings and motions must contain either a signature or an e-signature of the Registered User. In the event the Reg istered User is not utilizing an e-signature, the pleading (PDF) with the orig inal ===== PAGE 24 ===== signature must be uploaded for filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Document with multiple signatures

Before filing a document with more than one signature, the Registered User must confirm that the other signers agree.

In the event the document bears more than one signature, the Registered User must confirm agreement of the other signers prior to filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Motions must include a separate Microsoft Word proposed order for judicial review, except as provided by Local Rule 11.07; a missing order results in rejection.

All motions (PDF) MUST be accompanied by a proposed order in a separate document in Microsoft Word which will NOT be filed, but will be transmitted to the proper judicial authority for review, editing and signature. Except as otherwise provided for in Local Rule 11.07, the failure to attach a proposed order will result in the rejection of the filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Initiating document

A Registered User submitting an initial case or adding a party must include service instructions and required information, including process-server instructions when applicable.

A Registered User submitting an initial case or adding a new party must include instructions for service with the required information pursuant to t he Local Rules and applicable Civil Rules. This includes instructions for a process server, if applicable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Registered Users must enter the parties' names, assigned case number, and assigned judge's name in the proposed-order template.

Registered Users shall input the names of the parties, the assigned Case Number, and name of the assigned Judge into the Proposed Order template .

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders must contain text in the template body; a blank order counts as missing, although a self-represented litigant is excepted from the stated rejection or refusal consequence.

Registered User's shall include text within the body of the template. Blank Proposed Orders will be construed as a failure to attach a proposed order. Failure to attach a proposed order, unless the registered user is a self-represented litigant, will result in the rejection of the filing upon Clerk Review and/or refusal of the proposed order by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

caption

Proposed orders must use the template, include its complete case caption and the appropriate signature token, and avoid prohibited modifications or they may be rejected or refused.

Proposed orders that do not use the template, do not have a complete case caption as formatted in the template, do not use the appropriate signatu re token, and/or include any modifications to the proposed order which are expressly prohibited by this rule will result in the rejection of the filing upon Clerk Review and/or refusal of the proposed order by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Temporary restraining order request

Must include

proposed order

A temporary restraining order request must include a proposed order using the platform's DOCX template.

The filer must still file a Proposed Order for the request for temporary restraining order utilizing the PROPOSED ORDER TEMPLATE (.docx) provided in thee-services platform.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Cognovit note

Counsel seeking judgment on a cognovit note must bring the original note physically for the assigned judge's review.

However, counsel seeking judgment on the Cognovit Note must still bring the original cognovit note physically for review by the assigned judge.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Cognovit note complaint

The Court will take no action on a cognovit note complaint until counsel brings the original note to the Court.

NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON THE COGNOVIT NOTE COMPLAINT UNTIL COUNSEL BRINGS THE ORIGINAL COGNOVIT NOTE TO THE COURT FOR

CRITICAL

Applies to

Replevin action

A party filing a replevin action must file the listed documents using the corresponding document type selections.

Parties filing an action in Replevin must file the following documents as listed in the document type selections: 1. Replevin Complaint 2. Replevin Notice of Hearing and Request for Hearing 3. Rep levin Motion for Possession

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed judgment entry

To submit an Agreed Judgment Entry for judicial review and signature, parties must select Notice of Agreed Judgment Entry as the document type.

Parties shall select the Notice of Agreed Judgment Entry as a document type in order to attach an Agreed Judgment Entry for judicial review and signature.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Certificate of service

Must include

certificate of service

The Certificate of Service must be signed as required by applicable rules and laws and contain the specified service certification language.

The Certificate of Service shall be signed in accordance with applicable Ohio court rules and laws, including these Rules and shall contain the following language: "I hereby certify that on (date) I served this document in accordance with Civ.R. S/Crim. R. 49 by electronic mail on the following: (list counsel of record with e-mail addresses) AND by regular mail upon the following: (list self-represented litigants who are not registered users of the Court's e-filing system).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Request for leave to plead or extension

Must include

proposed order

Requests for leave to plead or extensions must include a proposed judgment entry.

Al l requests for leaves to plead or extensions must include a proposed judgment entry

CRITICAL

Applies to

Permission to amend pleading

Must include

proposed order

Permission to amend a pleading must be accompanied by a proposed judgment entry.

Any permission to amend a pleading must be accompanied by a proposed judgment entry

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Every motion must state its nature specifically.

Every motion shall state its nature with specificity, and be submitted and determined as hereinafter referenced.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to compel discovery

Must include

certificate of conference

A motion to compel must certify that the movant made a good-faith effort to confer with the person or party failing to provide discovery.

The motion shall include a certification that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with the person or party failing to make discovery in an effort to obtain it without court action.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Indictment

Each indictment must include an arraignment order specifying the appearance date and time, as well as space for the Sheriff's return of service.

Summons on Indictment - Each indictment shall contain a formal, printed order, to the defendant, to appear in the courtroom of the assigned judge on a specific day and hour for arraignment, to be determined by the Assignment Office, and shall contain an appropriate place for the return, by the Sheriff, of the service of the notice and the indictment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Counsel fee application

Appointed attorneys must use the Ohio Public Defender Commission form to apply for counsel fees and expenses.

Appointed attorneys shall file an application for counsel fees and expenses on the form provided by the Ohio Public Defender Commission.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Receiver bond

A receiver may not act until the court-approved bond, with proper surety and in the court-ordered amount and form, is filed with the Clerk.

A receiver cannot proceed to act until a court-approved receiver's bond with proper surety, in the amount and form ordered by the court, has been properly filed with the Clerk of Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Receiver report

The receiver’s report must include an inventory and appraisement and an account of receipts and expenditures to date.

Within two (2) months after the appointment, the receiver shall report to the court, submit inventory and appraisement, and include an account of receipts and expenditures to date. Such documents shall be filed with the Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Receiver report

Each semi-annual report must be consecutively numbered, include an account of receipts and expenditures for the reporting period, and summarize plans for the receivership’s future conduct.

C. Semi-annually, after filing the first report with inventory, appraisement and account, the receiver shall file consecutively-numbered reports, with accounts, for approval by entry by the court as to all receipts and expenditures made by the rece iver during the reporting period, together with a summary of plans for future conduct of the receivership.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Receiver report

The pre-sale report must show expenditures incurred or expected before the sale is conducted.

E. In all receiverships in which property appraised in excess of $2,000.00 is to be put up for public or private sale, the receiver shall file, in advance of such sale, a report with the court showing the amount of expenditures incurred or to be incurred prior to the time the sale is to be conducted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Receiver fee application

An application for partial or final receiver and receiver-counsel fees must be filed with the Clerk for court approval.

An application for payment of partial or final receiver and receiver counsel fees shall be filed with the Clerk for approval by the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Receiver fee application

A receiver-fee application must detail time spent, money collected and disbursed, creditor-claim status and payments, and prior authorized fees; the quoted list continues beyond this excerpt.

Such application shall show time spent on enumerated items; amount of money collected, disbursed and on hand; the status of secured and unsecured creditors' claims, including amounts claimed; payments made thereon and balances due; the amounts and dates of prior fees authorized in the case;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final title report

Before judgment, a final title report must be prepared and filed with the specified information, with an updated final attorney's opinion or Certificate of Title when applicable to a mineral estate.

Prior to the entry of judgment in any such case, a final title report shall be prepared and filed, in accordance with R.C. 2329.191 and when applicable with respect to such actions involving a mineral estate, an updated and final attorney's opinion and/or Certificate of Title. Said title report shall state the method of service on each of the parties and shall include a statement indicating whether any additional liens or mortgages have been filed since the date of the preliminary judicial report or other evidence of the record title, and whether or not those additional liens are barred by lis pendens.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Foreclosure complaint

A foreclosure complaint must name the Trumbull County Treasurer as a defendant or it will be rejected unless the Court has granted prior leave.

In all foreclosure actions under this Rule, it shall be necessary to name the Trumbull County Treasurer as a Defendant. The Clerk shall reject for filing any foreclosure complaint that fails to join the Trumbull County Treasurer except upon prior leave of Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed judgment entry

Proposed judgment entries must be circulated to the other parties for approval and included in the file before the dispositive hearing.

All proposed judgment entries shall be circulated for approval to the other parties in the case and shall be a part of the file prior to the date of the dispositive hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Praecipe for sale

A praecipe for sale must include the Auditor's property description approval form, and a sale cannot be set until the form or separate Court approval is received.

All praecipes for sale of property under judgment decree of foreclosure must include a property description approval form as required by the Trumbull County Auditor. These forms shall be made available online for the convenience of judgment creditors. The Sheriff shall not set any case for sale unless said property description approval form has been received. In cases where the Plaintiff is unable to receive approval of the property description from the Trumbull County Auditor, the case shall not be set for sale until the Plaintiff or moving creditor obtains separate approval from the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pro hac vice application

A pro hac vice attorney must file the Ohio Supreme Court certificate of registration.

A. The attorney must file the certificate of pro hac vice registration from the Ohio Supreme Court;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pro hac vice application

The attorney must file an affidavit stating that the attorney has not received permission to appear pro hac vice in more than three proceedings before Ohio tribunals during the current calendar year.

D. The attorney must file an affidavit stating that the attorney has not been granted permission to appear pro hac vice in more than three proceed ings before Ohio tribunals in the current calendar year;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pro hac vice application

The attorney must identify an active Ohio attorney in good standing who has agreed to associate, including that attorney’s registration number.

E. The attorney must include the name and attorney registration number of an active Ohio attorney, in good standing, who has agreed to associate with the attorney.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Objection

A party opposing a mediation referral or appointed mediator must file a written objection explaining the reasons within seven days of receiving notice.

A party opposed to either the referral or the appointed mediator must file a written objection with the court within seven (7) days of receiving notice of the referral or appointed mediator and explain the reasons for any opposition.

CRITICAL

Applies to

CqE petition

A CQE petitioner must file Form 22A with the Clerk, include the assigned ODRC Electronic Petition Identification Number, and attach the completed ODRC Electronic Petition.

In order to apply for a CQE, a Petition for Certificate of Qualification for Employment form (Form 22A) shall be filed with the Clerk of Courts by the Petitioner. The Petitioner shall provide their assigned ODRC Electronic Petition Identification Number on Form 22A, and shall attach to that form a copy of their fully completed Electronic Petition as subm itted to the ODRC.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Decision notice to petitioner

The Court must provide the Petitioner written notice of its decision with the Judgment Entry, and a denial notice must state any conditions on subsequent CQE filings.

The Court shall provide written notice to the Petitioner of the decision together with a copy of the Judgment Entry. If the Petition is denied, the written notice must notify the individual of any conditions placed on subsequent filings for a CQE.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Every motion must include a proposed order.

All motions MUST include a proposed order

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Every motion must include a proposed order using the PROPOSEDORDERTEMPLATE.docx template.

*Please note that ALL motions MUST include a Proposed Order using the “PROPOSEDORDERTEMPLATE.docx”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Subsequent filing

Must include

proposed order

For a subsequent filing, attach the document and proposed orders as described for case initiation.

You will then proceed with attaching your document and proposed orders in the same manner as listed herein for the case initiation.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Affidavit

A person or entity with a pending Sheriff's sale must file an affidavit in the case corresponding to the Order of Sale stating that the action is exempt from the moratorium and why.

Due to the moratorium imposed on certain foreclosure actions, any person or entity with a pending Sheriff's sale must file an Affidavit with the Clerk of Court in the appropriate case number corresponding to the Order of Sale. This Affidavit must indicate that the underlying action is exempt from the moratorium and set forth the reasons why the action is exempt.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

Self-represented litigants are encouraged to submit proposed orders with motions, but a pleading cannot be rejected because a proposed order was not attached.

Self-Represented litigants are encouraged to file proposed orders with the submission of any motion. However, the failure to attach a proposed order shall not be the reason for the rejection of a pleading from a self-represented litigant.

WARNING

A copy of the decision must be attached when cited precedent originates from another state under state law.

If a citation identifies precedent that originates from another state under state law, a copy of the case decision must be attached.

WARNING

Applies to

Filed document

A Registered User’s electronic signature on a filed document is treated as authentic unless challenged as false through additional pleadings, after which the judicial authority will review it.

An electronic signature of a Reg istered User on any filed document shall be considered to be the true and authentic signature of that Registered User unless proven otherwise through additional pleadings challenging the signature and accompanying filing as false, at which time the judicial authority will review and act accordingly.

WARNING

Applies to

Temporary restraining order request

The filer is responsible for bringing a temporary restraining order request to the assigned judge for review.

However, the filer should be aware that it is the responsibility of the filer to bring the request for a temporary restraining order to the assigned judge for review.

WARNING

Citations to case precedent must include a proper citation for reference.

Any citation to case precedent must include a proper citation for reference.

INFO

Applies to

Motion

Self-represented litigants are encouraged, but not required, to submit proposed orders with motions; omission is not a basis to reject their pleadings.

Self-Represented litigants are encouraged to file proposed orders with the submission of any motion. However, the failure to attach a proposed order shall not be the reason for the rejection of a pleading from a self-represented litigant.

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

Applies to

Motion to appear remotely ?

Counsel may file a timely motion to request to appear remotely for a hearing or proceeding and shal l provide a proposed entry. Permission to appear remotely is at the discretion of the assigned judge.

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

Applies to

Pleading or motion ?

In addition to the signature, the Registered User must include the following information underneath the signature line: Name; Attorney registration number if applicable; Firm name; Identity of party represented; Address; Telephone number; E-mail address.

Summary: The Registered User must place specified identifying and contact information beneath the signature line.

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

Applies to

Quiet title partition marshalling or foreclosure action ?

In actions to quiet title, partition and for the marshalling and foreclosu re of liens on real property, the Attorney for the Plaintiff shall procure and fi le with the Clerk evidence of the record t it le pursuant to R.C. 2329. 191 and when applicable with respect to such actions involving a mineral estate, evidence of the record title in the fo rm of an attorney's opinion and/or Certificate of Title . Failure of the Attorney for Plaintiff to comply with the foregoing requirement may result in the dismissal of the complaint without prejudice.

Summary: In quiet-title, partition, and lien-marshalling or foreclosure actions, the plaintiff’s attorney must procure and file evidence of record title, including specified evidence for mineral estates when applicable.

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

Applies to

Standing special process server designation application ?

Must include

proposed order ?

The applicant requesting designation shall also submit an order as follows:

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

Applies to

Standing special process server designation order ?

Said Order shall be signed by the Administrative Judge of said Court, or in his/her absence, by any Judge of said Court.

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

Applies to

Pro hac vice application ?

B. The attorney must ·file an affidavit identifying the jurisdictions in which the attorney has ever been licensed to practice law, including the dates of admission to practice, resignation or retirement and any attorney registration numbers;

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

Applies to

Pro hac vice application ?

C. The attorney must file an affidavit stating that the attorney has never been disbarred and whether the attorney is currently under suspension or has resigned with discipline pending in any jurisdiction the attorney has ever been admitted;