Franklin County Small Claims Court (Columbus, OH): How to File

Franklin County small claims: the $6,000 limit, the $92 fee and service costs, where to file in Columbus, hearings and case search. Checked 2026-10-27.

Navy cover with a drawn generic courthouse and the words Franklin County Small Claims, One municipal court for the whole county
Where and how to file small claims in Franklin County, Ohio.

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Quick answer: In Franklin County, small claims are heard by the small claims division of the Franklin County Municipal Court, one court for the whole county, for claims of up to $6,000 (not counting interest and costs). File with the Clerk's Civil Division on the 3rd floor of 375 S. High St., Columbus, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Filing costs $92, plus service for each defendant. Clerk Civil: (614) 645-7220.

Drawn generic courthouse beside a pinned info board for the Franklin County, Ohio Municipal Court: 375 S. High St., Clerk Civil, 3rd floor; hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (mon to Fri, for filings); and e-filing not listed online, file on the 3rd floor.
Franklin County, Ohio small claims at a glance, checked 2026-10-27.

This independent guide covers small claims cases in Franklin County, Ohio, including Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Grove City, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg, Whitehall, Worthington and Bexley. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's and the Clerk's official pages throughout.

Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Franklin County Municipal Court and Clerk websites 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.

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Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of the Franklin County Municipal Court's own small claims complaint, 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.

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Franklin County small claims court: the Municipal Court

  • Court: the Franklin County Municipal Court, established in Columbus. "The Franklin county municipal court has jurisdiction within Franklin county" (ORC 1901.02).
  • 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.
  • Hearings: "All cases will be assigned an initial hearing. Hearings are heard Monday through Friday beginning at 1:30 PM in front of a magistrate."
  • Magistrate's decision: you generally have 14 days after the magistrate's decision is filed to object in writing ($20 fee). Confirm with Clerk Civil at (614) 645-7220.

Which courthouse do I file in?

  • One court for the county. Every Franklin County address goes to the Franklin County Municipal Court, 375 S. High St., Columbus. That covers Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Grove City, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg, Whitehall, Worthington, Bexley and the rest of the county. No locator is needed.
  • "All complaints and pleadings are to be filed with the Clerk of Court's Civil Division located on the 3rd floor of 375 S. High St."
  • If the defendant or the dispute isn't in Franklin County, call Clerk Civil at (614) 645-7220 before you file.

Addresses, phone numbers and hours

Filings accepted: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. From the court's Small Claims page, the Clerk's contact page and the Self Help Center page.

Franklin County Municipal Court

Address: 375 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 645-7220 (Clerk Civil Information and Assistance)

Offices:

  • Clerk's Civil Division, 3rd floor
  • Small Claims: (614) 645-7381
  • Self Help Center, 16th floor (free, walk-in, Monday to Friday 9 AM to 3 PM): (614) 645-7381

How much does small claims cost in Franklin County?

From the Clerk's civil cost sheet ("Rev: Effect 8/1/2026"). "Service is NOT included in general and small claims civil cases."

  • Small claims filing: $92.00, plus service fees per defendant
  • Certified mail service: $10.00 per defendant
  • Ordinary mail service: $3.00
  • Bailiff service (Franklin County only): $25.00
  • Process server, personal or residence: $25.00
  • Registered mail: $30.00
  • Sheriff service (not available within Franklin County): $41.00 (includes $35.00 deposit for Sheriff Fees)
  • Objection to magistrate's decision: $20.00
  • Transfer from small claims to civil docket: $35.00
  • Notice of appeals documents: $50.00

Fees can change; confirm with Clerk Civil at (614) 645-7220 before you file.

Can I e-file in Franklin County?

We didn't confirm e-filing for small claims on the pages we checked. The court says complaints are filed with the Clerk's Civil Division on the 3rd floor of 375 S. High St. Ask Clerk Civil at (614) 645-7220 about other ways to file.

Franklin County small claims forms: the small claims complaint

The Clerk's Small Claims page has the small claims forms and cites ORC Chapter 1925 and Local Rule 7.01. "NEW CIVIL CASES must include the original complaint for the file, and a copy for each Defendant listed in the case."

How to file in Franklin County, step by step

Illustrated winding road with six numbered stations for Franklin County, Ohio small claims: check your claim fits the limit, get the complaint form, copy for each defendant, file on the 3rd floor, initial hearing, bring evidence, disagree? Object in writing.
The steps to file a small claims case in Franklin County, Ohio.
  1. Make sure your claim is for money only and no more than $6,000, not counting interest and costs.
  2. Get the complaint from the Clerk's Small Claims page. The free Self Help Center on the 16th floor can help.
  3. Make the original plus a copy for each defendant.
  4. File with the Clerk's Civil Division (3rd floor, 375 S. High St.) and pay $92 plus service for each defendant.
  5. Go to your initial hearing before a magistrate with your evidence (hearings start at 1:30 PM, Monday through Friday).
  6. If you disagree with the magistrate's decision, you generally have 14 days after it's filed to object in writing ($20 fee). 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 the Franklin County Municipal Court's own small claims complaint 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.

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How to look up a Franklin County small claims case

  • Use the Clerk's Records Search. "Not all fields are required. To begin, search by name, or case number, or ticket number."
  • You can also narrow by date of birth, company name, party type, case type (Civil or Criminal/Traffic), case year and case status.

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 Clerk Civil at (614) 645-7220, and see our Ohio guide for the statewide steps.

Fee waivers and venue changes

  • Can't afford the fees? Ask Clerk Civil at (614) 645-7220 what options the court offers.
  • Objection: $20, generally within 14 days after the magistrate's decision is filed.
  • Moving to the regular civil docket: $35.
  • Appeal documents: $50.

Coach's Tips for Franklin County

  • Budget for service. The $92 filing fee doesn't include service. Budget at least $10 more per defendant for certified mail.
  • Use the free Self Help Center. It's walk-in, on the 16th floor, Monday to Friday 9 AM to 3 PM. The court says it may close on short notice due to a budget shortfall, and the last in-person visitor is accepted at 2:30 PM.
  • Plan for an afternoon hearing. Initial hearings start at 1:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Franklin County small claims checklist

  • My claim is for money only and no more than $6,000.
  • I have the complaint plus a copy for each defendant.
  • I budgeted $92 plus service for each defendant.
  • I know to file on the 3rd floor of 375 S. High St., 8 AM to 4 PM.
  • I know my hearing is in the afternoon before a magistrate.
  • I know about the 14-day objection window.
  • My evidence is organized and copied for court.

Franklin County small claims FAQ

Which court hears small claims in Franklin County, Ohio?

Small claims in Franklin County, Ohio are heard in the Small Claims Division of the Franklin County Municipal Court. Suits against the State of Ohio go to the separate Ohio Court of Claims.

Where do I file a small claims complaint in Columbus?

File with the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk's Civil Division, 3rd floor, 375 S. High St., Columbus.

Who hears my case: a judge or a magistrate?

Small claims hearings in Franklin County Municipal Court are held in front of a magistrate.

How do I object to a magistrate's decision in Franklin County small claims?

You file an objection to the magistrate's decision with the Clerk's Civil Division. Ask the clerk for the deadline before you file.

How do I search Franklin County Municipal Court small claims records?

Use the case search on the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk's website (fcmcclerk.com).

What is the small claims limit in Franklin County?

$6,000, not counting interest and court costs.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Franklin County?

$92.00 plus service for each defendant, for example $10.00 by certified mail. Service isn't included in the filing fee.

Sources

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 Franklin County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the Franklin County Municipal Court's own small claims complaint, 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.

See the Playbook →

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.