Ohio Small Claims Court Filing Fees (2026)
Find your county's fee
Each Ohio court sets its own fee, so the county matters. Pick yours to see the court and what's included.
Adams County Court (Small Claims Division)
Civil fee schedule effective January 1, 2025.
Court, contact and what's includedLima Municipal Court
Includes certified mail service. Personal service per address in Allen County is $20 (separate line from the small-claims-specific fee, which is distinct from the general Civil Complaint fee of $147).
Court, contact and what's includedAshland Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Small claims complaint includes certified mail service on 1 defendant.
Court, contact and what's includedAthens County Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Court's combined Civil / Small Claims fee schedule lists Civil Case $110 (additional defendants $35 each). Personal service by sheriff extra ($40 in Athens).
Court, contact and what's includedAuglaize County Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedBelmont County Court, Western Division
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedBrown County Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Deposit required per the court's fee table; additional defendants not listed.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal and area courts of Butler County (4). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02). Places outside the three municipal courts are served by the Butler County Area Courts (county courts).
Court, contact and what's includedCarroll County Municipal Court
$60 filing fee for a small claims complaint; $15 more for each additional defendant (Local Rule 5, effective June 12, 2026).
Court, contact and what's includedClermont County Municipal Court
Includes certified-mail service and ordinary-mail waiver for one defendant ($172 for two, $212 for three, $252 for four). One court for the whole county (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedClinton County Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
$25 for each additional defendant at a different address.
Court, contact and what's includedColumbiana County Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedCoshocton County Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedCrawford County Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
$20 for each additional defendant.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts of Cuyahoga County (13). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each municipal court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedDarke County Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Tiered by claim size: $67 up to $1,000; $92 for $1,000.01-$3,000; $117 for $3,000.01-$6,000. Base tier recorded.
Court, contact and what's includedDefiance Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
$7.00 each additional defendant.
Court, contact and what's includedDelaware Municipal Court
Service extra: certified mail $15, personal or residence service $20. One court for the whole county (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedErie County Municipal Court, Sandusky Municipal Court, Vermilion Municipal Court, Huron Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedFairfield County Municipal Court
Includes certified-mail service on one defendant; $10 each additional defendant. One court for the whole county (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedWashington Court House Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
$105 filing by certified mail service, one defendant (includes service); $135 by personal or residence service.
Court, contact and what's includedFranklin County Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Service fees per defendant extra.
Court, contact and what's includedGallipolis Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Each additional defendant or service attempt is extra per the court's schedule.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts of Greene County (2). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Xenia Municipal Court covers all of Greene County except Fairborn, Beavercreek, Beavercreek Township and Bath Township, which are covered by Fairborn Municipal Court (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedCambridge Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedHamilton County Municipal Court
Service extra: minimum $49 total with certified mail, $69 with bailiff (one defendant).
Court, contact and what's includedFindlay Municipal Court (all of Hancock County since 2024-01-02, ORC 1901.02)
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedHardin County Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedHarrison County Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedNapoleon Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedHillsboro Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedHocking County Municipal Court
$50 filing fee for a small claims complaint naming one defendant; $10 for each additional defendant. Hocking County Municipal Court's small claims page; no effective date shown.
Court, contact and what's includedHolmes County Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedNorwalk Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedSteubenville Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedMount Vernon Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Total local costs for small claims cases $93.00 (local $34, clerk computer fee $20, special projects $25, legal aid $11), effective Jan 1, 2025. Service fees extra.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts of Lake County (3). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each municipal court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedIronton Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Small claims complaint naming one defendant $55.00; each additional defendant (residing at a separate address) $5.00. Personal service on the defendant is an extra $20.00 (default is certified mail). Ironton Municipal Court; page is undated.
Court, contact and what's includedLicking County Municipal Court
One court for the whole county (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedBellefontaine Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts of Lorain County (5). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each municipal court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts of Lucas County (4). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each municipal court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedMadison County Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Claims of $6,000 or less: $50 for one defendant, $10 per additional defendant.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts and Mahoning County Court (3). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02). Places outside the three municipal courts are served by Mahoning County Court (a county court with 5 numbered divisions).
Court, contact and what's includedMarion Municipal Court (Small Claims)
A separate $20.00 trial fee is due after the small claims trial and is added to court costs. Page undated.
Court, contact and what's includedMedina Municipal Court
Includes certified mail service for up to two defendants; $25 each additional defendant.
Court, contact and what's includedMeigs County Court
Court's rules page shows an older $50 figure; the civil fees page lists $90.
Court, contact and what's includedCelina Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedMonroe County Court (Small Claims)
Small claims up to $3,000 per the court's cost page. Page undated.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts of Montgomery County (6). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each municipal court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedMorgan County Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedMorrow County Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedMuskingum County Court (Small Claims)
Complaint must be accompanied by a $75.00 filing fee; counterclaim $30.00. Page undated.
Court, contact and what's includedNoble County Court
Court cost table lists small claims as $65.00 for up to 2 defendants.
Court, contact and what's includedOttawa County Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Filing fee $120.00 for one or two defendants and $20.00 for each additional defendant named on the complaint. Ottawa County Municipal Court; page is undated.
Court, contact and what's includedPaulding County Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedCircleville Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Total cost for filing a small claims complaint $75.00 (local costs $26 + research fee $4 + capital improvement $19 + special projects $15 + legal aid/public defender $11). Counterclaim $40. Circleville Municipal Court civil cost schedule effective January 1, 2023.
Court, contact and what's includedPike County Court (Small Claims Division)
All civil costs must be pre-paid prior to service.
Court, contact and what's includedPortage County Municipal Court (Ravenna and Kent divisions)
$10 each additional defendant; bailiff personal/residence service $22, process server $81. One court for the whole county (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedEaton Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Small claims complaint, two defendants $55.00; each additional defendant $10.00. Eaton Municipal Court civil fee schedule (file dated 2024-03-26; its civil-action line is marked effective August 16, 2018).
Court, contact and what's includedPutnam County Municipal Court (Small Claims)
Counterclaim also $51.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts of Richland County (2). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
County has 2 municipal courts under ORC 1901.02: Mansfield covers most townships, Shelby covers Sharon/Jackson/Cass/Plymouth/Blooming Grove townships + part of Butler township.
Court, contact and what's includedChillicothe Municipal Court (jurisdiction: all of Ross County, ORC 1901.02)
$10 each additional defendant. Civil & Small Claims Cost Schedule effective 9/1/2025.
Court, contact and what's includedFremont Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Costs table on the small claims page lists Complaint $50; each additional defendant $17. Bailiff service extra ($10 in town).
Court, contact and what's includedPortsmouth Municipal Court (Small Claims)
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedTiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Civil page fee table: small claims complaint, 1 defendant $80 (2 defendants $100, 3 defendants $120). Same schedule for the Tiffin and Fostoria locations.
Court, contact and what's includedSidney Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts of Stark County (3). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each municipal court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts of Summit County (3). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each municipal court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts and county courts of Trumbull County (6). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02). Central and Eastern District Courts are Trumbull County Courts covering the rural townships outside the 4 municipal corporations.
Court, contact and what's includedNew Philadelphia Municipal Court / Tuscarawas County Court, Southern District. The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Two courts split the county under ORC 1901.02 and 1907.11.
Court, contact and what's includedMarysville Municipal Court (jurisdiction: all of Union County, ORC 1901.02)
$15 each additional defendant. Cost of service is separate.
Court, contact and what's includedVan Wert Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedVinton County Court (Small Claims)
$10.00 for each additional defendant. Sheriff service deposit is separate.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts and Warren County Court (4). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Each court sets its own small claims costs; which court you use depends on where the defendant lives or where the claim arose (ORC 1901.02). Places outside the three municipal courts are served by Warren County Court (a county court).
Court, contact and what's includedMarietta Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Court's Civil & Small Claims filing fee schedule (Feb 2025) itemizes small claims: local costs $21.11, legal aid $10.89, computer $13, special projects $15, security $10 = $70; additional defendant $10 (per the court schedule). Service extra.
Court, contact and what's includedWayne County Municipal Court
We haven't verified this county's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Ohio courts charge between $35 and $151.
Court, contact and what's includedBryan Municipal Court (Small Claims Division)
Each additional defendant $15.
Court, contact and what's includedMunicipal courts of Wood County (2). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Perrysburg Municipal Court covers Perrysburg, Rossford, Northwood, Perrysburg/Lake/Troy Townships, Luckey, Millbury, Walbridge; Bowling Green Municipal Court covers the rest of Wood County (ORC 1901.02).
Court, contact and what's includedUpper Sandusky Municipal Court
One defendant $110; $20 per additional defendant. Court serves by certified mail.
Court, contact and what's includedFees across Ohio
Lowest small claims filing fee in each county. Darker costs more.
One county, 13 courts
Cuyahoga County has 13 courts that hear small claims, each with its own fee. Where you file depends on where the person you're suing lives or did business.
Before you file
Ohio's limit was recently increased from $3,000 — verify your county court has updated their forms.
Many courts charge extra for each added defendant or for certified-mail service. Your county's result above lists what applies.
If you can't afford the fee, ask the clerk how to file without paying up front. The court decides. Ohio fee waiver guide
Estimate your fee by claim amount
Small Claims Filing Fee Calculator
Enter your state and claim amount to see the official court filing fee.
Fees in this state depend on the county where you file.
Each court in this county sets its own small claims fee.
Ohio small claims fees by county
In Ohio the fee depends on where you file. 65 of 88 counties show a fee verified on an official page; the rest show the verified range and the clerk to contact.
- Adams County $151
- Allen County $127
- Ashland County $65
- Ashtabula County $100
- Athens County $110
- Auglaize County Not yet verified
- Belmont County Not yet verified
- Brown County $100
- Butler County $35 to $75
- Carroll County $60
- Champaign County $75
- Clark County $75
- Clermont County $132
- Clinton County $75
- Columbiana County Not yet verified
- Coshocton County Not yet verified
- Crawford County $110
- Cuyahoga County $45 to $123
- Darke County $67
- Defiance County $64
- Delaware County $93
- Erie County Not yet verified
- Fairfield County $90
- Fayette County $105
- Franklin County $92
- Fulton County $50
- Gallia County $97
- Geauga County $105
- Greene County $75 to $100
- Guernsey County Not yet verified
- Hamilton County $39
- Hancock County Not yet verified
- Hardin County Not yet verified
- Harrison County Not yet verified
- Henry County Not yet verified
- Highland County Not yet verified
- Hocking County $50
- Holmes County Not yet verified
- Huron County Not yet verified
- Jackson County $75
- Jefferson County Not yet verified
- Knox County $93
- Lake County $70 to $124
- Lawrence County $55
- Licking County $70
- Logan County Not yet verified
- Lorain County $75 to $112
- Lucas County $53 to $75
- Madison County $50
- Mahoning County $50 to $100
- Marion County $55
- Medina County $82
- Meigs County $90
- Mercer County Not yet verified
- Miami County $75
- Monroe County $44
- Montgomery County $60 to $120
- Morgan County Not yet verified
- Morrow County Not yet verified
- Muskingum County $75
- Noble County $65
- Ottawa County $120
- Paulding County Not yet verified
- Perry County $60
- Pickaway County $75
- Pike County $75
- Portage County $91
- Preble County $55
- Putnam County $51
- Richland County $75 to $110
- Ross County $75
- Sandusky County $50
- Scioto County Not yet verified
- Seneca County $80
- Shelby County Not yet verified
- Stark County $60 to $75
- Summit County $99 to $139
- Trumbull County $58 to $95
- Tuscarawas County $50 to $60
- Union County $50
- Van Wert County Not yet verified
- Vinton County $75
- Warren County $75 to $85
- Washington County $70
- Wayne County Not yet verified
- Williams County $50
- Wood County $55 to $75
- Wyandot County $110
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Ohio Small Claims Filing Fees Explained
To file a small claims case in the Small Claims Division, you must pay a filing fee at the time you submit your paperwork. In Ohio, filing fees are $35–$151 depending on the amount of your claim.
Ohio offers electronic filing for small claims cases. An e-filing convenience fee of $3 applies.
Tip
Ohio's limit was recently increased from $3,000 — verify your county court has updated their forms.You can recover the filing fee
If you win your case, ask the judge to add the filing fee to your judgment. The defendant would then owe you the original claim plus court costs.Fee waiver available
Can't afford the fee? Ask the court clerk for an In Forma Pauperis (IFP) application. Ohio courts generally waive fees for low-income filers — bring proof of income.Source: Ohio official court website ↗
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Frequently Asked Questions: Ohio
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