Ohio Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Ohio.
Maximum Claim
$6,000
Filing Fee
$50
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Small Claims Division (Municipal Court / County Court)
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Ohio
Search by city, county, or ZIP code to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
How Much Can You Sue For in Ohio?
In Ohio, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $6,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Ohio Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard filing fee (varies by county) | $50 |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the court clerk for a fee waiver application when you file.
Statutes of Limitations in Ohio
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
8
years — written contract
6
years — oral contract
4
years — property damage
2
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Ohio?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court. Our free guide shows you how to write one in minutes.
Read the demand letter guideWhere to File in Ohio
Small claims cases in Ohio are handled by the Small Claims Division (Municipal Court / County Court). Ohio has 88 county Municipal and County Courts.
Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives or where the cause of action arose
Not sure which court you need? Our step-by-step filing guide walks you through finding the right court for your case.
Find your specific courthouse: Search for your county courthouse below ↓ — get the address, phone number, hours, and see if e-filing is available.
How to Serve the Defendant in Ohio
After filing your claim, you must formally notify the defendant. This is called "service of process" and is required before your case can be heard.
Accepted methods: Personal service by bailiff or certified mail
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 14 days before the hearing.
Ohio Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Ohio small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 14 days for new trial
Is e-filing available?
No, e-filing is not currently available for small claims in Ohio. You must file in person or by mail.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some Ohio courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official Ohio Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Ohio
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Adams County
West Union area
(937) 544-2921
Allen County
Lima area
(419) 221-5275
Ashland County
Ashland area
(419) 281-4890
Ashtabula County
Jefferson area
(440) 992-7149
Athens County
Athens area
(740) 592-3328
Auglaize County
Wapakoneta area
(419) 739-6767
Belmont County
St. Clairsville area
(740) 676-4490
Brown County
Georgetown area
(937) 378-6358
Butler County
Hamilton area
(513) 523-4748
Carroll County
Carrollton area
(330) 627-5049
Champaign County
Urbana area
(937) 653-7376
Clark County
Springfield area
(937) 328-3726
Clermont County
Batavia area
(513) 732-7292
Clinton County
Wilmington area
(937) 382-8985
Columbiana County
Lisbon area
(330) 424-5326
Coshocton County
Coshocton area
(740) 622-2871
Crawford County
Bucyrus area
(419) 562-2731
Cuyahoga County
Cleveland area
(216) 664-4867
Darke County
Greenville area
(937) 547-7340
Defiance County
Defiance area
(419) 782-4092
Delaware County
Delaware area
(740) 203-1560
Erie County
Sandusky area
(419) 499-4689
Fairfield County
Lancaster area
(740) 687-6621
Fayette County
Washington Court House area
(740) 636-2350
Franklin County
Columbus area
(614) 645-7381
Fulton County
Wauseon area
(419) 337-9212
Gallia County
Gallipolis area
(740) 446-9400
Geauga County
Chardon area
(440) 286-2670
Greene County
Xenia area
(937) 376-7294
Guernsey County
Cambridge area
(740) 439-5585
Hamilton County
Cincinnati area
(513) 946-5700
Hancock County
Findlay area
(419) 424-7143
Hardin County
Kenton area
(419) 674-4362
Harrison County
Cadiz area
(740) 942-8865
Henry County
Napoleon area
(419) 592-2851
Highland County
Hillsboro area
(937) 393-3022
Hocking County
Logan area
(740) 385-2250
Holmes County
Millersburg area
(330) 674-4901
Huron County
Norwalk area
(419) 663-6750
Jackson County
Jackson area
(740) 286-2718
Jefferson County
Steubenville area
(740) 283-6000
Knox County
Mount Vernon area
(740) 393-9510
Lake County
Painesville area
(440) 392-5883
Lawrence County
Ironton area
(740) 867-3127
Licking County
Newark area
(740) 670-7822
Logan County
Bellefontaine area
(937) 599-6120
Lorain County
Elyria area
(440) 930-4103
Lucas County
Toledo area
(419) 936-3650
Madison County
London area
(740) 852-1669
Mahoning County
Youngstown area
(330) 740-2001
Marion County
Marion area
(740) 387-2005
Medina County
Medina area
(330) 723-3287
Meigs County
Pomeroy area
(740) 992-2279
Mercer County
Celina area
(419) 586-6491
Miami County
Troy area
(937) 440-3919
Monroe County
Woodsfield area
(740) 472-5181
Montgomery County
Dayton area
(937) 225-5824
Morgan County
McConnelsville area
(740) 962-4031
Morrow County
Mount Gilead area
(419) 947-5045
Muskingum County
Zanesville area
(740) 455-7138
Noble County
Caldwell area
(740) 732-5795
Ottawa County
Port Clinton area
(419) 734-4143
Paulding County
Paulding area
(419) 399-5370
Perry County
New Lexington area
(740) 342-3156
Pickaway County
Circleville area
(740) 474-3171
Pike County
Waverly area
(740) 947-4003
Portage County
Ravenna area
(330) 297-3635
Preble County
Eaton area
(937) 456-4941
Putnam County
Ottawa area
(419) 523-3110
Richland County
Mansfield area
(419) 755-9639
Ross County
Chillicothe area
(740) 773-3515
Sandusky County
Fremont area
(419) 334-6161
Scioto County
Portsmouth area
(740) 354-3283
Seneca County
Tiffin area
(419) 448-5411
Shelby County
Sidney area
(937) 498-0011
Stark County
Canton area
(330) 489-3203
Summit County
Akron area
(330) 375-2920
Trumbull County
Warren area
(330) 675-2280
Tuscarawas County
New Philadelphia area
(330) 343-6797
Union County
Marysville area
(937) 644-9102
Van Wert County
Van Wert area
(419) 238-5767
Vinton County
McArthur area
(740) 596-5000
Warren County
Lebanon area
(513) 933-7210
Washington County
Marietta area
(740) 373-4474
Wayne County
Wooster area
(330) 287-5668
Williams County
Bryan area
(419) 636-6939
Wood County
Bowling Green area
(419) 352-5263
Wyandot County
Upper Sandusky area
(419) 294-3809
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Ohio?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide