Civil 
Franklin County Court House
345 South High Street, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 525-3621
Hours: Monday - Friday
8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
About the Civil Division
Civil Section - Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to file a complaint?
- I just found out I have a tax lien filed with the Clerk's office; what do I do?
- Why do I have to pay the Franklin County Clerk of Courts for a State of Ohio tax?
- How do I file a Satisfaction of Judgment Lien?
- What kinds of cases are filed in the Civil Section?
- I've been served with a complaint; how long do I have to respond?
- Do you accept personal checks?
- Do you accept credit cards?
- Why wasn't I informed that there was a tax lien filed against me?
- Money has been deposited with the Clerk on a bank garnishment, or pursuant to a court entry. I feel this money is due and owing to me. How do I get this money?
- When is a case billed and who will receive the bill?
- Is my Jury Demand Deposit refundable if the case does not go to trial?
- How much does it cost to file a complaint?
- You can access a complete list of Security Deposits and Filing Fees on the
Civil Forms page.
Return to Top - I just found out I have a tax lien filed with the Clerk's office; what do I do?
- Please be aware that the Clerk of Court is only the record-keeper; we do not take payment for the
amount of tax owed. Contact the Ohio Department of Taxation at (614) 752-7541 to make arrangements for
tax payments.
Once you receive a letter from the State of Ohio/Attorney General's office informing you that your judgment has been satisfied (i.e. paid in full.) Follow these steps:
First, please call our General Division at 614-525-3622, and request the amount due for associated court costs to file this matter through the Franklin County Clerk of Courts.
If you choose to visit our offices and personally manage this legal matter, please come to the first floor of 345 S. High Street (the new county courthouse/corner of Mound and High) Clerk's General Division. Bring cash, certified check or money order and the State's letter to you.
If you wish to mail in a copy of the letter along with your payment, please be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts
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345 S. High St.
1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215 - Why do I have to pay the Franklin County Clerk of Courts for a State of Ohio tax?
- The State of Ohio uses the offices of the 88 county clerks to record, file and
maintain tax liens. Costs are incurred with filing, paperwork, computerization, etc.
These fees are set by the Ohio Revised Code.
Return to Top - How do I file a Satisfaction of Judgment Lien?
-
IF YOU PAID THE DEBT WITH THE STATE:
You should have received a letter from the State of Ohio/Attorney General's office informing you that your judgment has been satisfied (i.e. paid in full.)
First, please call our General Division/Civil section at 614-525-3621, and request the amount due for associated court costs to file this matter through the Franklin County Clerk of Courts.
If you choose to visit our offices and personally manage this legal matter, please come to the first floor of 345 S. High Street (the new county courthouse/corner of Mound and High) Clerk's General Division. Bring cash, certified check or money order and the State's letter to you.
If you wish to mail in a copy of the letter along with your payment, please be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope.Franklin County Clerk of Courts
345 S. High St.
1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215If you are an attorney fling on behalf of a client, please call the General Division at 614-525-3621 to determine whether electronic filing is applicable in your case.
Return to Top - What kinds of cases are filed in the Civil Section?
- Civil lawsuits - damages over $15,000
- Judgment liens - includes State of Ohio tax liens, Worker's Compensation Liens, Foreign Court liens
- Executions - i.e. the County Sheriff confiscating property to satisfy a lien
- Miscellaneous - includes appointing a process server, discharge of a Mechanic's Lien, appointment of county officials, etc.
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- I've been served with a complaint; how long do I have to respond?
- You have 28 days from the date you signed for the certified mail informing you of
the complaint to file a response.
Return to Top - Do you accept personal checks?
- Yes, we accept payment by personal check for the filing of civil actions. Payment for
release of tax liens and criminal actions must be submitted in cash or by certified check
or money order. Please make the check or money order payable to the Franklin County Clerk of Courts.
Return to Top - Do you accept credit cards?
- At this time we do not accept credit cards for payment of fees and/or deposits.
Return to Top - Why wasn't I informed that there was a tax lien filed against me?
- The Clerk of Court is the agency charged with receiving and accepting the filing of
state tax liens. You will need to contact the
Ohio Department of Taxation to address this issue.
Return to Top - Money has been deposited with the Clerk on a bank garnishment, or pursuant to a court entry. I feel this money is due and owing to me. How do I get this money?
- The Clerk of Court is authorized to disburse funds after we receive a time-stamped
court entry, specifically stating to whom the money has been awarded with current address
and phone number, and the amount. Your attorney must put together a legal document called
an Order For Disbursement, and the judge must sign this document. If you choose to put this
form together yourself, some legal research will be necessary; the Court is strict about the
proper format for these documents.
Attendants in the Law Library located on the 10th floor of the Hall of Justice should be able to guide you. Visit the Unclaimed Funds page for a list of cases on which the Clerk has funds held on deposit.
Return to Top - When is a case billed and who will receive the bill?
- A case is billed two weeks after the filing of the terminated entry. The bill will be mailed
to the party designated responsible for costs.
Return to Top - Is my Jury Demand Deposit refundable if the case does not go to trial?
- No, the Jury Demand deposit is non-refundable. A $25.00 filing fee is required
when a jury demand is requested. This fee is in accordance with
ORC 2303.20(E)
and made for the calling of a jury and not dependent on the actual swearing in of a panel of
jurors on a particular case. If a jury is impaneled, additional fees will accrue in accordance
with ORC 2335.28. However, the $300.00 deposit that is required to be submitted the Friday
before the actual trial will be refunded if the trial has been cancelled.
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Other duties and services include:
Registration of Notary Public Commissions
The State of Ohio issues Notary Public Commissions; applications and instructions for taking the test to become a Notary Public may be obtained by contacting the Columbus Bar Association. Before performing any official duties, the Notary must record and file the commission with the Clerk of Court in his or her county of residence. In Franklin County, the commission may be recorded at the Civil Section office or at any of the Auto Title branches. Visit our Notary page for details.
Passport Agents
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts is authorized to process applications on behalf of the United States Passport Services. You can obtain a passport application from the Clerk's office. Return the completed form, along with proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or an acceptable substitute), proof of identity (previous passport, driver's license) and two passport photographs.
If the proof of identity, citizenship evidence, and the two passport photographs are in order, upon payment of the fees, this office will forward the documents to Passport Services. You will receive your passport by mail from Passport Services. See our Passport Brochure for more information.
For division-specific questions: