RULE 14:

Filing fees and costs

Commencement of New Actions.

In all actions for the commencement of Custody, Support, or Visitation proceedings (or any combination of Custody, Support, or Visitation), the moving party shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $115.00 as security for costs.

In all actions requesting only the establishment of the existence or nonexistence of the parent and child relationship, the party instituting the action shall deposit with the Clerk the sum of $95.00 as security for costs. A party instituting an answer and counterclaim requesting the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities shall deposit with the Clerk the sum of $115 as security for cost.

In all actions requesting both the establishment of the existence or nonexistence of the parent and child relationship and the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, the party instituting the action shall deposit with the Clerk the sum of $190.00 as security for costs.

In all actions requesting a Consent to Marry, the moving party shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $25.00 as security for costs.

Motions in Existing Matters.

Except in delinquency, unruly, abuse, neglect or dependency actions, any person requesting by motion the establishment, enforcement or modification of the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, custody, child support, or parenting time/visitation, shall deposit with the Clerk the sum of $100.00 as security for costs.

The Clerk shall not require the $100.00 deposit as security for costs for motions for temporary orders, motions related to discovery, or any pre-adjudication motions which are ancillary to the original complaint, except as it relates to emergency or ex parte orders.

All motions requesting emergency or ex parte orders relative to custody of a minor child or children pursuant to Local Juvenile Rule 5(F) 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.

In all actions for Habeas Corpus proceedings, the moving party shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $100.00 as security for costs.

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.

Court Costs

Costs for juvenile traffic offenders include the costs mandated by O.R.C. 2743.70, O.R.C.2949.091, O.R.C. 2303.20, O.R.C. 2303.201, O.R.C. 2151.541 and O.R.C. 2949.094. 

Costs for delinquency cases shall include the costs mandated by O.R.C.2743.70 and O.R.C.2949.091.  At the discretion of the Court, costs in delinquency, unruly and traffic proceedings may be waived when the court determines the offender is indigent.

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.

Fees for Computer Research and Services

(A) Pursuant to the authority of R.C.2151.541(A)(1)(b), the Franklin County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch, has determined that, for the efficient operation of the Juvenile Branch, 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 the Franklin County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch in procuring and maintaining computerized legal research services.

(B) Pursuant to the authority of R.C. 2303.201(B)(1), the Franklin County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch, has determined that for the efficient operation of the Juvenile Branch, 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 Franklin County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch, and subject to appropriation by the Board of County Commissioners, in an amount no greater than the actual cost to 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 $15.00 upon a party instituting an action for custody, visitation, or parentage, 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 Franklin County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch, 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 Franklin County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch.

The Clerk of this Court is directed and hereby authorized to charge and collect a fee of $42.00 per juvenile case and $20.00 per juvenile traffic case. These fees are included in the appropriate security for costs sections listed above.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE AFFIDAVIT OF INDIGENCE