Cuyahoga County Courts

Cuyahoga County, located in northeastern Ohio along Lake Erie, is the most populous county in Ohio, with an estimated 1.2 million people, which accounts for approximately 10.1% of the state's total population of 11.88 million. Cleveland serves as the county seat.

Annually, Cuyahoga County Courts report approximately 33,467 filed cases. These include 17,102 criminal matters, 11,843 probate and family-related cases, and 11,892 small claims and minor civil matters. Cuyahoga County trial courts are structured to manage a broad spectrum of legal issues, with each court handling specific types of cases.

• Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court serves as the county's main trial court and is separated into four specialized divisions:
• The General Division handles felony criminal cases, major civil cases, and administrative appeals.
• The Domestic Division oversees matters such as divorce, child custody, and spousal support.
• The Probate Division deals with wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments.
• The Juvenile Division addresses cases involving minors, including delinquency and child welfare.
• Cuyahoga County Municipal Courts oversee traffic violations, misdemeanors, small claims, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and landlord-tenant disputes.
• Cuyahoga County Mayor's Courts operate in some municipalities and handle cases involving minor traffic violations and local ordinance infractions. They often serve as local alternatives to municipal courts for resolving such matters.

Cuyahoga County Courts are spread across multiple towns and cities. The Court of Common Pleas is located in Cleveland (the county seat), while various Mayors and Municipal Courts operate in other municipalities across the county.

How To Access Cuyahoga County Court Records

Cuyahoga County court records are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio FOIA) unless they are sealed by court order or classified as confidential under applicable state or federal laws. Civil court records, criminal court records, probate records, and domestic relations records may be accessed by visiting the appropriate courthouses or using the courts' online case access systems.

Requesters must present valid government-issued photo identification and case numbers to access court records in Cuyahoga County. Court records may generally be accessed through the following ways:

Online

Cuyahoga County court records are accessible online through the Clerk of Courts' Case Records Search portal. This platform allows users to search case dockets, filings, and judgments in civil, criminal, and domestic relations matters. The portal supports name and case number searches and offers access to official court documents filed with the Common Pleas Court.

Also, CourtCaseFinder provides access to court records maintained in Cuyahoga County, as well as in other counties across the United States.

Federal court records created from federal cases heard in Cuyahoga County may be accessed through the PACER Case Locator, a nationwide system indexing dockets and pleadings from the U.S. District, Bankruptcy, and Appellate Courts. Users must create accounts and pay statutory fees to retrieve most documents.

In-Person

Court records may be accessed in person at the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts' offices of the relevant courts. Each court has clerks responsible for maintaining case files, dockets, and legal documents. Individuals may visit the specific clerks' offices of the courts with jurisdiction over the relevant case types to locate and review applicable records.

Several courthouses in Cuyahoga County have public terminals, allowing requesters to review court records independently. Clerks of the courts handle the reproduction and certification of documents. The copying fee is $0.03 per page after the first 33 pages, and certification fees typically cost $1 per document. These charges apply when parties request official duplicates or certified versions of court filings for legal, administrative, or personal use.

Old and Archived Court Records

Cuyahoga County's old court records, especially those dating back more than 50 years, may no longer be available at the courthouse offices or on online databases. In such cases, requesters may turn to the Ohio History Connection State Archives or the State Library of Ohio, including pre-1900 dockets, probate and estate documents, court minute books, and territorial records. To request copies of historical court records or to pursue additional support for archival inquiries, individuals may contact the following institutions:

How To File a Case in Cuyahoga County

Cases in Cuyahoga County may be filed in person at the appropriate Clerk of Courts' offices, by mail with properly notarized pleadings when allowed, or electronically through the county's official e-filing portal. Filing parties must first identify the courts that have jurisdiction over their cases. They may contact the clerks to confirm jurisdiction before proceeding.

Once the appropriate courts are identified, parties must prepare the required legal documents, including complaints, summonses, and any applicable cover sheets or affidavits. These filings must be done in full compliance with the court's procedural requirements. Clerks of the court receive, review, and docket the submitted filings, assign case numbers, and assess the applicable filing fees.

After the courts accept the filings, plaintiffs must ensure that all opposing parties are properly served through processes known as service of process. Courts accept several approved methods of service, including certified mail, sheriff service, or licensed process servers. If proper service is not completed within the timeframe required by law, the case may be dismissed.

Filing fees are case-specific. For example, civil complaints may incur a $250 base fee, plus $5 per additional defendant over 10. A full breakdown of court fees is available on the county's fee schedule page.

Parties unable to afford court filing fees may apply for a waiver by submitting a notarized Affidavit of Indigence to the Clerk of Court. The affidavit must affirm that the filer is financially unable to pay and must be signed under penalty of perjury. Courts may require additional documentation, such as proof of public assistance or financial hardship. Judicial officers review the request to determine whether a full or partial waiver is appropriate. If granted, the case will proceed without payment of standard filing costs.

To file a case in Cuyahoga County, parties must:

• Identify the correct court with jurisdiction and contact the clerk to confirm.
• Complete the required forms, including details of the dispute and involved parties, and attach supporting documents.
• Pay the applicable filing fees or submit an Affidavit of Indigence to request a waiver.
• File the documents in person, by mail (with notarization if required), or online via the E-Filing Portal.
• Serve the defendants with the complaint and summons using approved legal methods.
• File proof of service with the court to move the case forward.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

Qualified residents may be eligible for free or reduced-cost legal aid through nonprofit legal groups and bar-sponsored volunteer attorney panels. These programs often focus on urgent legal needs such as eviction, custody, benefits disputes, or protection from abuse. Individuals may also find printed guides, forms, and procedural assistance at courthouse self-help desks or through online legal information portals. The following organizations and services provide legal support to qualified persons in Cuyahoga County:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Alliance of Ohio Legal Aids
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO)
• Free Eviction Help

Additional legal aid programs and self-help resources accessible to residents of Cuyahoga County include:

• Court Resource Center
• Pro Bono Programs
• Ohio Legal Help
• Housing Justice Alliance

Types of Courts in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Various courts of law, including county courts of general jurisdiction, municipal courts with limited authority, and federal courts handling matters under federal law, serve the residents of Cuyahoga County. The following outlines each court's jurisdiction and corresponding contact information:

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court exercises general jurisdiction, handling civil and criminal matters that fall outside the authority of lower courts. Its divisions oversee a broad spectrum of proceedings within distinct areas of law.

Below is an overview of the divisions of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Courts, along with their locations and contact details for accessing court services:

Cuyahoga County General Division

Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court

Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court

Cuyahoga County Municipal Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts exercise limited jurisdiction and preside over misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, small claims cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and preliminary hearings in felony matters arising within their respective municipal boundaries.

Below is a directory of Cuyahoga County Municipal Courts, including their locations and contact information:

Bedford County Municipal Court

Cleveland Heights Municipal Court

Cleveland Municipal Court

Berea County Municipal Court

East Cleveland Municipal Court

Euclid Municipal Court

Garfield Municipal Court

Lakewood Municipal Court

Lyndhurst Municipal Court

Parma Municipal Court

Rocky Vila Municipal Court

Shaker Heights Municipal Court

South Euclid Municipal Court

Mayor's Courts in Cuyahoga County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts preside over minor misdemeanor offenses, local ordinance violations, and traffic infractions that occur within the municipality.

Mayor's Court locations in Cuyahoga County are listed below:

Cuyahoga Heights Mayor's Court

Cuyahoga Falls Mayor's Court

Broadview Heights Mayor's Court

Middleburg Heights Mayor's Court

Maple Heights Mayor's Court

The following judicial bodies represent the federal court presence within the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County:

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This federal trial court has original jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters arising under the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, and treaties. It hears cases involving federal crimes, civil rights violations, interstate disputes, federal agency reviews, and constitutional challenges.
• Address and Contact Information -

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court has exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy matters filed under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, including Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 proceedings, as well as related adversary actions, debt reorganization, liquidation, and creditor-debtor disputes.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cuyahoga County Courts

Below are responses to some commonly asked questions regarding the courts in Cuyahoga County, Ohio: