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Domestic Relations Questions

Franklin County Court House Map link
373 South High Street, 4th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 462-4410
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

What is the procedure for filing a divorce or dissolution?
Following is a list of the paperwork and fee requirements for divorces and dissolutions, either with or without children. Linked document names indicate forms that may be downloaded from this site. Please note that some documents, such as the Complaint for Divorce or the Petition for Dissolution, are not pre-formatted.
If you choose to represent yourself, some legal research will be necessary. The Court is strict about the proper forms, formats and requirements needed for this procedure. Baldwin's Ohio Domestic Relations Law is an excellent legal reference source, and a good place to start your research. We have listed the local public and law libraries at the end of this page.
The Clerk's office strongly recommends that you seek legal counseling before starting the divorce or dissolution procedure. You can contact the Columbus Bar Association at (614) 221-4112, the Lawyer Referral Association at (614) 221-0754, or Legal Aid at (614) 224-8374; these organizations can refer you to an attorney that practices Domestic Relations law.
Legal Aid sponsors the Divorce Access Project (614) 241-2005, a self-help clinic for parties who want to file for an uncontested divorce with no children.
Please be aware that the Clerk of Court is statutorily prohibited from offering legal advice.

DIVORCE WITH NO CHILDREN
You will need to submit 4 copies of all documents: three copies as required by Local Rule, and an additional copy which we will return to you time-stamped.
  1. Complaint for Divorce
  2. Rule 17 Financial Affidavit
  3. Instructions for Service (document instructing the Clerk to send copies of forms to opposing parties, as required by law)
  4. Filing fee of $175 plus Service Fee (see item 5, below)
  5. Service Options
    1. Certified Mail: $10.00
    2. Sheriff Service: $30.00
    3. Foreign Sheriff (any non-Franklin County Sheriff): $75.00
    4. Process Server: $4.00
    5. Registered Mail: $14.00
    6. Waiver of Service: No fee

DIVORCE WITH CHILDREN
You will need to submit 4 copies of all documents: three copies as required by Local Rule, and an additional copy which we will return to you time-stamped.
  1. Complaint for Divorce
  2. Rule 17 Financial Affidavit
  3. Instructions for Service (document instructing the Clerk to send copies of forms to opposing parties, as required by law)
  4. Filing fee of $175 plus Service Fee (see item 5, below)
  5. Service Options
    1. Certified Mail: $10.00
    2. Sheriff Service: $30.00
    3. Foreign Sheriff (any non-Franklin County Sheriff): $75.00
    4. Process Server: $4.00
    5. Registered Mail: $14.00
    6. Waiver of Service: No fee
  6. Custody Affidavit
  7. Health Insurance Affidavit (Rule 24)
Parties must attend a parenting seminar before the final hearing, or the Court may not grant divorce. Call the Children's Hospital Guidance Center at (614) 355-8325 for seminar details.

DISSOLUTION WITH NO CHILDREN
You will need to submit 3 copies of all documents: two copies as required by Local Rule, and an additional copy which we will return to you time-stamped. Papers must be arranged in packet with the Petition on top.
  1. Petition For Dissolution
  2. Separation Agreement
  3. Waiver of Service
  4. Rule 17 Financial Affidavit (one per party)
  5. Acknowledgment of Legal Representation
  6. Filing Fee of $175.00
  7. Decree of Dissolution (needed for final hearing)

DISSOLUTION WITH CHILDREN
You will need to submit 3 copies of all documents: two copies as required by Local Rule, and an additional copy which we will return to you time-stamped. Papers must be arranged in packet with the Petition on top.
  1. Petition For Dissolution
  2. Separation Agreement
  3. Waiver of Service
  4. Rule 17 Financial Affidavit (one per party)
  5. Acknowledgment of Legal Representation
  6. Filing Fee of $175.00
  7. Decree of Dissolution (needed for final hearing)
  8. Custody Affidavit
  9. Health Insurance Affidavit
Parties must attend a parenting seminar before the final hearing, or the Court may not grant dissolution. Call the Children's Hospital Guidance Center at (614) 355-8325 for seminar details.
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How do I schedule my case for an uncontested divorce?
First, you must make certain that service has been perfected - in other words, you must have official notification that the opposing party has received a copy of your filed legal documents. If you have not received a counterclaim from the opposing party 28 days after service was perfected, you can request a hearing date for an uncontested divorce.
You will need to fill out a form called the Notice Certificate to start this process. You can obtain this form at the Court Assignment Office, located at 373 S. High Street on the 6th Floor. Once you have filled out the form and returned it to the Assignment Office, the Court will set a date at least 42 days from when service was perfected.
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How do I get a continuance?
You must fill out a continuance form, available from the Judge's or Magistrate's Assignment Office (depending on whether a Judge or a Magistrate is ruling on your divorce). After the form is filled out, take it to either the Judge's Bailiff or the Magistrate assigned to the case. They will decide whether a continuance is appropriate. If the continuance is approved, you must take the form back to the appropriate Assignment Office; they will schedule a new date. At this point, take the form, with the newly scheduled date, to the Magistrate or the Bailiff for final approval and a signature. Make certain to save all copies that are returned to you.
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How do I obtain a certified copy of my divorce decree?
If the divorce was granted in Franklin County, you can write a letter to the Domestic Relations Section, 373 S. High Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 requesting a copy of the divorce decree. Make certain to include the parties' first and last names during the marriage, the year the case was filed, and the case number if available, along with your return name and address and a $2.00 fee. If you would like any other copies besides your decree, please specify in your request.
Or, you can come in person to the Domestic Section of the Clerk's office, address listed above. One of our counter clerks will be happy to help you with the procedures. There is a fee of 10 cents per page for copies, and a $1.00 fee for copy certification.
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How do I file for a Civil Protection Order?
Please visit our Protection Order page for information on filing a Civil Protection Order.
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What is a Notice of Final Appealable Order?
A Notice of Final Appealable Order is a decision rendered by the Judge or Magistrate that is appealable, or can be reversed (child support decisions, custody issues, etc.). Parties have 30 days to file an appeal with the Court of Appeals on a decision rendered by a Judge. If a magistrate rendered the decision, parties have 14 days to file an appeal with the Supervising Judge. If you do not want to appeal this decision, please disregard the notice.
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How do I file for Change of Custody?
If you do not have legal representation, you will need to draft a Motion For Reallocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities. You will also need a Custody Affidavit and a Health Insurance Affidavit; you can download these affidavits from our Domestic Forms page.
If the parents were divorced in another county, or were never married, you will need to file these forms in the Clerk's Juvenile Section. Contact the Juvenile Section at (614) 462-4411.
You may contact Legal Aid at (614) 224-8374 to see if you qualify for free legal assistance.
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How do I file a Relocation or Change of Address notice?
To file a Relocation Notice, write a letter to the Clerk of Court Domestic Relations Section, Attn: Relocation Officer, 373 S. High Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Include your name, the Domestic Relations Case Name and Number, and your new address. Make sure to state that this is a Relocation Notice. A copy of your notice will be sent to the Child Support Enforcement Agency and to the other party.
The procedure for a Change Of Address is the same; write a letter including your name, the Domestic Relations Case Name and Number, and your new address. This information will be placed with the rest of your Domestic file.
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Where are the law libraries in Franklin County located?
Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library
65 S. Front Street, 11th Floor
(614) 387-9650
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00a.m.- 5:00p.m.
Columbus Law Library Association
Franklin County Hall of Justice (in the Franklin County Government Complex)
369 S. High Street, 10th Floor
(614) 221-4181
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00a.m.- 5:00p.m.
The Ohio State University Moritz Law Library
1659 N. High Street
(614) 292-6691
Hours: Mon - Thurs 7:15a.m.- Midnight
Fri 7:15a.m.- 9:00p.m.
Sat 9:00a.m.- 9:00p.m.
Sun 10:00a.m.- Midnight
Columbus Metropolitan Library
96 S. Grant Street
(614) 645-2275
Hours: Mon - Thurs 9:00a.m.- 9:00p.m.
Fri - Sat 9:00a.m.- 6:00p.m.
Sun 1:00p.m.- 5:00p.m.
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