Franklin County Small Claims Court
How to file a small claims case in Franklin County, OH. Courthouse locations, hours, fees, and filing options for the Columbus area.
E-Filing
Not available
Max Claim
$6,000
Courts (1)
1 courthouse
Franklin County has 1 independent courts
How to choose: Per ORC § 1925.04 and Ohio Civil Rule 3, venue is proper where the incident or transaction giving rise to the claim occurred OR where the defendant resides or regularly does business in Franklin County.
Use the official court locator →All Courts in Franklin County
Franklin County Municipal Court — Small Claims Division
375 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Serves: ALL of Franklin County including Columbus, Bexley, Worthington, Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights, Whitehall, Westerville, Hilliard, Dublin, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, New Albany, and all unincorporated areas. Single unified court for the entire county.
How to File in Franklin County
File in person
Bring your completed forms to the courthouse clerk during business hours. Pay the filing fee by cash, check, or credit card.
File by mail
Most small claims courts accept filing by mail — check with this courthouse first. Typically you mail your completed forms with the filing fee (check or money order) plus a self-addressed stamped envelope for your returned copies.
Important for Franklin County: Franklin County Municipal Court small claims procedure has these key features: (1) Cases primarily heard by MAGISTRATES rather than Judges; (2) Service is NOT automatic — must be requested separately and paid for; (3) Continuances limited to one 30-day continuance per party with 7-10 days advance notice; (4) E-filing available for existing cases but NOT for new small claims initiation; (5) Strict ORC § 1925.17 limits on corporate self-representation — entity reps can file and present but cannot do legal advocacy; (6) Self-Help Center on 16th Floor provides in-person guidance to pro se filers; (7) NO punitive damages, NO equitable relief, NO claims against governments — money damages for narrow disputes only.
Ready to take action in Franklin County?
A demand letter often settles disputes before a case is ever filed — and it only takes a few minutes.
Read the demand letter guideFor statewide rules including filing limits, statutes of limitations, and court procedures, see the full Ohio small claims court guide →