Franklin County Courts

Franklin County, home to about 1.3 million residents, accounts for approximately 11% of Ohio's population of 12 million. The county is the most populous in the state, and has its administrative center in Columbus. Annually, over 224,000 cases are filed in the county's courts, including 61,397 civil matters, 45,567 criminal cases, 9,634 family matters, 22,440 juvenile issues, and 9,996 probate matters.

The Franklin County trial court system is composed of Courts of Common Pleas, Municipal Courts, and Mayor's Courts.

• Franklin County Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases that fall outside the jurisdiction of other courts. The court handles felonies and civil cases exceeding $15,000. The court also has separate divisions that hear general, probate, family law, and juvenile cases.
• Franklin Municipal Court has limited jurisdiction over cases involving misdemeanors, small claims, ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and civil cases where the financial dispute is less than $15,000.

There are several Mayor's Courts, located in various towns and cities, including Bexley, Groveport, and Westerville, throughout Franklin County. These courts share jurisdiction with the Municipal Court in cases that involve traffic infractions and violations of traffic ordinances.

How to Access Franklin County Court Records

Under the Ohio Public Records Law, all public records, including court records, are accessible to the public. There are some restrictions on certain records, such as sealed court records, juvenile records, and court records containing sensitive information like mental health data, national security, or trade secrets.

To view or obtain Franklin County court records, individuals must provide the case number and a valid photo ID. The photo ID may include a driver's license, passport, or any other government-issued ID. Individuals interested in Franklin County court records may access them through various methods, including the following.

Online

Individuals may search for Franklin County court records online through the Case Information Online Research Option Platform. They may search case files by using the offender's name, case number, name of party or attorney, or case type as search criteria.

Record seekers may find court records from CourtCaseFinder. This website enables easy search for case information from multiple courts nationwide. Anyone who wishes to access federal court cases in Franklin County may do so through the PACER Case Locator. Creating an account on this service is free, but users typically have to pay fees to access the court documents.

In-Person

To obtain Franklin County court records in person, individuals should visit the County Clerk of Courts' office, located in Columbus. Record seekers must provide a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID, to the clerk's office to verify their identity. Additionally, they must pay a $0.1 fee per page for copies of the court records and an additional $1 fee for certification (if required). The clerk's office also has public access terminals available for use by the public to search and view court records.

Old and Archived Court Records

The State Archives of Ohio has a collection of old court records from Franklin County, including civil, criminal, probate, and other court case files. Individuals may access the court records by contacting the State Archives at:

Alternatively, record seekers may request some old court records at the Franklin County Clerk of Courts' office.

How To File a Case in Franklin County

To file a case in Franklin County, Ohio, an individual must determine the type of case they want to file and gather all the necessary documents required to file their case. Such documents may include petitions, affidavits, evidence, police reports, and medical reports. Once all the necessary documents are in place, a requester must decide how they want to file the case, either in person, by mail, or online.

The Franklin County Clerk of Courts provides an Electronic Filing Portal that allows individuals to file cases online. Interested persons must register for a user account on this portal. The clerk's office also provides additional information and guidance on the electronic filing of cases through its e-Filing Resources.

Individuals may also choose to file their documents in person at the Franklin County Clerk of Courts' office in Columbus. They may obtain the relevant forms directly from the clerk's office. In Franklin County, payment of a filing fee is required to initiate a case, and the amount varies depending on the type of case being filed. However, if they are unable to pay the filing fees, they may apply for a fee waiver.

To request a fee waiver, the plaintiff must submit an "Affidavit of Indigency Form" to the court. The plaintiff must provide information on the form to show their inability to pay the filing fee. The court will review the form and make its decision, whether to grant or deny the fee waiver.

A summary of the steps required to file a case in Franklin County is listed below:

• Determine the appropriate division and the courthouse - Identify the proper division in the court that handles the type of case you want to file.
• Gather the required documents - All essential documents must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the local court rules.
• Complete the Necessary Forms - Contact the clerk's office for the appropriate forms you need to file your case.
• Pay the Filing Fee - Filing fees vary depending on the type of case. If you are unable to pay the filing fees, you may request a fee waiver.
• File and Serve - File your documents online or submit them to the clerk at the courthouse. The clerk will issue a copy of the filed documents, which you are responsible for serving to the opposing parties.

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.

In Franklin County, individuals who are unable to afford legal representation may access support through various forms, including local courthouses, legal aid organizations, and services offered by the local bar association. Below is a list of organizations offering free legal assistance and resources for self-litigants available within the county:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Franklin County Public Defender's Office provides free legal representation in family law, juvenile, and criminal cases for indigent residents.
• The Ohio Hispanic Coalition offers legal assistance for Hispanic women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Pro Senior provides free legal and long-term care to older adults.
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Columbus Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio

Residents of Franklin County may also access legal assistance through the self-help resources listed below:

• The Ohio State Legal Services Association (OSLSA)
• Ohio Legal Help

Additional legal aid services and self-help resources available to residents are:

• The Ohio State University Law Clinic provides legal assistance to residents in civil cases.
• The Franklin County Municipal Court Self-Help Center offers legal assistance for the county's residents on matters such as small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and other civil matters.
• The Franklin County Law Library provides research guides and legal resources to residents of the county.
• The Franklin County Probate Court Resource Center offers assistance to residents with probate-related matters.

Types of Courts in Franklin County, Ohio

The Court of Common Pleas, Municipal Court, and several Mayor's Courts are the major types of courts in Franklin County, Ohio. The Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court are located in Columbus, the county seat. At the same time, the Mayor's Courts are distributed across several towns and cities, and the county is home to two federal court facilities.

Court of Common Pleas (General Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The General Division handles civil cases, criminal cases, and hears appeals from administrative agencies.
• Address and Contact Information -

Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations and Juvenile Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The Domestic Relations and Juvenile Division has jurisdiction over family law cases, including divorce, as well as juvenile matters.
• Address and Contact Information -

Court of Common Pleas (Probate Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The Probate Division, also known as Probate Court, deals with probate matters, including estates, wills, adoptions, trusts, and guardianships.
• Address and Contact Information -

Franklin County Municipal Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil cases with disputes less than $15,000.
• Address and Contact Information -

Federal Courts in Franklin County

Residents of Franklin County, OH, are served by the following federal courts:

United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court handles matters such as civil rights violations, immigration matters, federal crimes, intellectual property disputes, and lawsuits involving federal agencies.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court primarily handles bankruptcy cases.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Franklin County Courts

The following are frequently asked questions regarding the court system in Franklin County, Ohio: