Domestic Court Rules
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RULE 2.

Security for costs

To Institute Action

In all actions for dissolution, with or without minor children, the party instituting the action shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $200.00 as security for costs.

In all actions for divorce, with or without minor children, the party instituting the action shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $250.00 as security for costs.

In all actions for legal separation or annulment, with or without minor children, the party instituting the action shall deposit with the Clerk the sum of $175.00 as security for costs.

In all actions for custody or support of a child or children filed in the Domestic Relations Court pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 2151.233, the party instituting the action shall deposit with the Clerk the sum of $150.00.

In all other actions initiated by complaint or petition, the party instituting the action shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $100.00 as security for costs.

Counter-Claims

In all counter-claims for divorce, annulment, legal separation, or for custody or child support, the party instituting the counter-claim shall deposit with the Clerk the sum of $43.00 as security for costs.

Post Judgment Motions

In all post judgment motions requesting modification, vacation or enforcement of the existing judgment, decree or order, including motions for lump-sum judgment, the party instituting such motion shall deposit with the Clerk the sum of $150.00 as security for costs.
All motions requesting emergency or ex parte orders relative to custody of a minor child or children shall deposit with the Clerk the sum of $30.  This fee shall not be subject to waiver based upon inability, but costs shall be subject to waiver or reimbursement at the time of hearing on the motion or at the conclusion of the case.

No additional deposit shall be required for the custody investigation, and no deposit for security for costs shall be required for motions to enforce a suspended jail sentence.
 

Publication

A party requesting service by publication shall deposit with the Clerk an amount equal to the current minimum rate for publication in addition to the other regular costs.

Personal Service

A party requesting personal service within Franklin County shall deposit with the Clerk the sum of $30.00; if the personal service is outside of Franklin County, the sum of $75.00 in addition to the other regular costs.

Witness Fees

The party subpoenaing witnesses shall post with the Clerk the sum of $6.00 per witness within Franklin County; for each witness outside Franklin County, a deposit of $12.00 per witness plus mileage and a deposit of $75.00 for the foreign Sheriff's service.

Court Reporter Costs

In all matters in which a Court Reporter is present to make a record of the proceedings a deposit of $25.00 shall be posted prior to the commencement of such proceedings by the party so requesting the presence of the Court Reporter or by such other party as the Court may so direct, and an additional $25.00 shall be posted prior to each subsequent day of the proceeding. This deposit may be waived only by the consent of the Judge or Magistrate presiding in such proceedings.

Inability Affidavits

Any person seeking to file pleadings without posting a deposit or security for costs, shall complete a financial disclosure / affidavit of indigency. All affidavits filed pursuant to this Rule shall be on the Form authorized by the Court, which is appended hereto and incorporated herein, or in a format consistent therewith. Upon approval of the court, the deposit shall be deferred for all actions, excepting requests for emergency or ex parte orders relative to a minor child or minor children, and the Clerk shall receive and file the documents without deposit or security for all other actions. 

Fees for Computer Research and Services

(A) Pursuant to the authority of R.C.2301.031(A) it is determined that, for the efficient operation of the Domestic Relations Division and Juvenile Branch of this Court additional funds are required to obtain computerized legal research services.

The Clerk of this Court is directed and hereby authorized to charge and collect a fee of three dollars ($3.00) upon the filing of each cause or appeal under R.C. 2303.20 (A), (Q), and (U). The fee is included in the appropriate security for costs sections listed above.

All funds collected pursuant to this rule shall be paid to the County Treasurer to be maintained by the County Auditor in a separate account for utilization of this Court in procuring and maintaining computerized legal research services.

(B) Pursuant to the authority of R.C.2301.201(B)(1) it is determined that, for the efficient operation of the Domestic Relations Division of this Court, additional funds are required to computerize the office of the Clerk of Court of Common Pleas.

The Clerk of this Court is directed and hereby authorized to charge an additional fee of ten dollars ($10.00) upon the filing of each cause of action, appeal, certificate of judgment, or the docketing and indexing of each aid in execution or petition to vacate, revive, or modify a judgment under R.C. 2303.20 (A), (P), (Q), (T), and (U). The fee is included in the appropriate security for costs sections listed above.

All funds collected pursuant to this rule shall be paid to the County Treasurer to be disbursed, upon an order of the Court of Common Pleas and subject to appropriation by the Board of County Commissioners, in an amount no greater than the actual cost of the court of procuring and maintaining computer systems for the office of the Clerk of Court of Common Pleas.

(C) Pursuant to R.C. 2301.201(c), the Clerk of this Court is directed and hereby authorized to charge and collect a fee of $26.00 upon a party instituting an action, for the charitable purpose of providing financial assistance to legal aid societies that operate within the state and to support the Office of the State Public Defender. The fee is included in the appropriate security for costs section listed above.

Special Project Fee

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code, Section 2303.201 (E) (1), the Domestic and Juvenile Branch of the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, Ohio has determined that for the efficient operation of the court, additional funds are necessary to acquire and pay for special projects of the court.

All fees collected shall be used for special projects consistent with Ohio Revised Code 2303.201 (E) (1). All fees collected shall be paid to the Franklin County Treasurer. The Treasurer shall place the funds from the fees in a separate general project fund to be disbursed upon an order of the Domestic and Juvenile Branch of the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County.

The Clerk of this Court is directed and hereby authorized to charge and collect a fee of $30.00 per domestic case. These fees are included in the appropriate security for costs sections listed above.

Seminar For Separating Parents

The clerk of this court is directed and hereby authorized to charge and collect a fee of $22.00 for each action for divorce, dissolution, and legal separation involving minor children for the seminar for separating parents required by local rule 26. These fees are included in the appropriate security for costs sections listed above.

Special Process Servers

Any person or entity requesting that the court approve them as a special process server per domestic rule 41/juvenile rule 38 shall deposit with the juvenile clerk the sum of $35.00.

(Amended, eff. 1/1/85; 4/15/85; 7/1/85; 1/15/86; 1/1/87; 7/1/90; 1/25/93; 6/10/96; 2/10/97; 2/9/98; 7/1/99; 8/1/04; 7/1/06; 3/1/12; 11/1/13; 1/1/15; 3/23/15;1/14/19, 10/30/2019)

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THE AFFIDAVIT OF INDIGENCY