Cuyahoga County Small Claims (Ohio): Which Municipal Court to File In
Cuyahoga County small claims: the $6,000 limit, the 13 municipal courts by city, Cleveland fees and filing by mail. Checked 2026-10-27.
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Quick answer: In Cuyahoga County, small claims are heard by the small claims division of 13 municipal courts, each covering its own cities, for claims of up to $6,000 (not counting interest and costs). In Cleveland, the Cleveland Municipal Court charges a $45 filing fee, plus $7 for each additional defendant, and takes filings by mail. Fees differ by court; call the clerk of the municipal court for your city. Cleveland Clerk: (216) 664-4860.
This independent guide covers small claims cases in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, including Cleveland, Parma, Lakewood, Euclid, Strongsville, Westlake, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, Solon and North Olmsted. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.
Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Cleveland Municipal Court website and the Ohio Revised Code. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our Ohio small claims guide.
Filing in Cuyahoga County? See a filled-in sample first.
Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of a small claims complaint from another Ohio court (the Franklin County Municipal Court's own form; Ohio has no statewide small claims form, and Cuyahoga's municipal courts may use their own, so check with your court's clerk), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Cuyahoga County small claims courts: the municipal courts
- Court: the small claims division of a municipal court. Cuyahoga County is served by 13 municipal courts, each listed in ORC 1901.01: Bedford, Berea, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Lakewood, Lyndhurst, Parma, Rocky River, Shaker Heights and South Euclid.
- Limit: claims for money only, "not exceeding six thousand dollars, exclusive of interest and costs" (ORC 1925.02(A)(1)).
- Not allowed: "Libel, slander, replevin, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process actions", most claims by an assignee or agent, and claims for punitive or exemplary damages.
- Mediation: the Cleveland Municipal Court offers Small Claims Mediation.
- Magistrate's decision: you generally have 14 days after the magistrate's decision is filed to object in writing. Confirm with your municipal court clerk.
Which municipal court do I file in?
- Pick the court for the place. Each municipal court covers its own city plus the places the statute assigns to it (see the list below).
- Cleveland's rule: "The defendant must live in or conduct business in the City of Cleveland or Village of Bratenahl or the cause of action must have occurred in the City".
- For other courts, call the clerk of the municipal court for your city to confirm where to file.
Which municipal court covers your city
From ORC 1901.02. Each court covers its own city, plus the places listed below. The other courts (Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Lakewood and South Euclid) cover their own cities.
Bedford Municipal Court
Bedford, plus Bedford Heights, Oakwood, Glenwillow, Solon, Bentleyville, Chagrin Falls, Moreland Hills, Orange, Warrensville Heights, North Randall and Woodmere, and Warrensville and Chagrin Falls townships
Berea Municipal Court
Berea, plus Strongsville, Middleburgh Heights, Brook Park, Westview and Olmsted Falls, and Olmsted township
Cleveland Municipal Court
Cleveland, plus Bratenahl
Garfield Heights Municipal Court
Garfield Heights, plus Maple Heights, Walton Hills, Valley View, Cuyahoga Heights, Newburgh Heights, Independence and Brecksville
Lyndhurst Municipal Court
Lyndhurst, plus Mayfield Heights, Gates Mills, Mayfield, Highland Heights and Richmond Heights. The statute's "Mayfield" appears to be Mayfield Village, but we couldn't confirm that.
Parma Municipal Court
Parma, plus Parma Heights, Brooklyn, Linndale, North Royalton, Broadview Heights, Seven Hills and Brooklyn Heights
Rocky River Municipal Court
Rocky River, plus Bay Village, Westlake, Fairview Park and North Olmsted, and Riveredge township
Shaker Heights Municipal Court
Shaker Heights, plus University Heights, Beachwood, Pepper Pike and Hunting Valley
Not on the list: Highland Hills and any other place not named. Ask the clerk which court covers it.
Addresses, phone numbers and hours
From the Cleveland Municipal Court's Contact Us page and small claims page. Call the Clerk by 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. This page lists Cleveland only. For the other 12 municipal courts, call the clerk of the court for your city.
Cleveland Municipal Clerk of Courts, Justice Center
Address: 1200 Ontario Street, Level 2, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: (216) 664-4860 (by 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday)
Office:
- Small claims (Cleveland and Bratenahl)
How much does small claims cost in Cuyahoga County?
From the Cleveland Municipal Court's small claims page:
- Filing fee (Cleveland): $45
- Each additional defendant: $7
- Fees differ by court; call the clerk of the municipal court for your city.
- Fees can change; confirm with the clerk before you file.
Can I e-file in Cuyahoga County?
We didn't find e-filing for small claims on the pages we checked. In Cleveland, "The Clerk of Courts office no longer provides in-person assistance for preparing Small Claims cases", and "Small Claims cases may still be filed by mail." Ask the clerk of your city's municipal court how it takes filings.
Cuyahoga County small claims forms: the Small Claims Complaint
To file by mail in Cleveland, send copies for all parties, payment ("cash, check or money order") and a stamped self-addressed envelope. See the court's How to File a Small Claim page. Other courts may use their own forms, so ask the clerk.
How to file in Cuyahoga County, step by step
- Make sure your claim is for money only and no more than $6,000, not counting interest and costs.
- Find the municipal court for the place (see the list above), and call its clerk if you're not sure.
- If you're suing a business, check its exact registered name with the Ohio Secretary of State.
- Prepare your complaint with copies for every party.
- File (by mail in Cleveland) and pay the fee ($45 plus $7 per additional defendant in Cleveland).
- Go to your hearing with your evidence.
- If you disagree with the magistrate's decision, you generally have 14 days after it's filed to object in writing. Statewide rules are in our Ohio guide.
Ready to fill in your own form?
The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one: a filled-in sample of a small claims complaint from another Ohio court (the Franklin County Municipal Court's own form; Ohio has no statewide small claims form, and Cuyahoga's municipal courts may use their own, so check with your court's clerk) with every box explained, plus your Ohio Playbook section on serving the other side and service fees, hearing day (the jury waiver and mediation), objecting to a magistrate's decision, and appeals and collecting.
You also get prep guides that work in any state: a document checklist, exhibit labels, a prep timeline and a hearing-day outline. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
How to look up a Cuyahoga County small claims case
- Cleveland Municipal Court: use the "Look Up My Case" link on the court's website. We couldn't confirm its search steps.
- For other courts, or if you can't find your case, call the clerk (Cleveland: (216) 664-4860).
What does it cost to collect a judgment?
Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. Collection fees weren't on the pages we checked. Ask the clerk of your municipal court, and see our Ohio guide for the statewide steps.
Fee waivers and venue changes
- Can't afford the fees? Ask the clerk of your municipal court what options it offers.
- Objecting to the magistrate: generally within 14 days after the decision is filed, in writing. Confirm with your clerk.
Coach's Tips for Cuyahoga County
- Check the business name. If you're suing a business, check its exact registered name with the Ohio Secretary of State before you file. Cleveland's clerk recommends this.
- Find the right court first. Cuyahoga has 13 municipal courts. Look up the place in the list above, and call the clerk if it isn't named.
- Filing by mail in Cleveland? Include copies for every party, your payment and a stamped self-addressed envelope.
Cuyahoga County small claims checklist
- My claim is for money only and no more than $6,000.
- I found the municipal court for the place, or I called the clerk.
- I checked the business's registered name (if I'm suing a business).
- I have copies of my complaint for every party.
- I confirmed the filing fee with the clerk.
- I know about the 14-day objection window.
- My evidence is organized and copied for court.
Cuyahoga County small claims FAQ
Is there one Cuyahoga County small claims court?
No. Small claims in Cuyahoga County are filed in the Small Claims Division of one of 13 municipal courts, depending on the city.
Which municipal court do I file my small claims complaint in?
You file in the municipal court that covers the city involved in your case. Ohio law lists which cities each municipal court covers. Find your city in the court list on this page, then call that court's clerk to confirm.
How do I file a small claims complaint at Cleveland Municipal Court?
You file a Small Claims Complaint Form with the Cleveland Municipal Court Clerk of Courts, Civil Division, Small Claims Division.
Who decides my case in small claims, a judge or a magistrate?
At Cleveland Municipal Court, small claims are heard by magistrates. For other municipal courts, ask that court's clerk.
How do I find Cuyahoga County small claims court forms and dockets?
Each municipal court posts its own small claims forms and dockets on its website.
What is the small claims limit in Cuyahoga County?
$6,000, not counting interest and costs, under ORC 1925.02.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Cuyahoga County?
In the Cleveland Municipal Court, $45 plus $7 for each additional defendant. Fees differ by court, so call the clerk of the municipal court for your city.
Sources
- Cleveland Municipal Court: How to File a Small Claim
- Cleveland Municipal Court: Contact Us
- Ohio Revised Code 1901.01
- Ohio Revised Code 1925.02
- Ohio Revised Code 1901.02
Checked 2026-10-27.
More for Ohio: Ohio small claims guide · Ready to sue · Just got sued · How to serve small claims papers · What to say on hearing day
Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers where and how to file in Cuyahoga County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of a small claims complaint from another Ohio court (the Franklin County Municipal Court's own form; Ohio has no statewide small claims form, and Cuyahoga's municipal courts may use their own, so check with your court's clerk), your Ohio Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer. But if your situation is complicated, doesn't fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.
Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.