Franklin County Small Claims Court: Filing in Columbus, the 1:30 Hearings, and Collecting What You Win

Small claims cases in Columbus and the rest of Franklin County go to the Small Claims Division of the Franklin County Municipal Court, at 375 S. High St. downtown, for money claims up to $6,000 [1][2]. For Ohio’s statewide rules, see BestOhio’s Ohio small claims court guide. This page walks through the case in this court, from the filing window to collecting.

Is this the right court?

The Small Claims Division hears claims for money only, up to $6,000 plus interest and costs. It can’t order someone to return property or finish a job, and it doesn’t hear libel, slander, malicious prosecution or abuse-of-process claims, or claims against the State of Ohio or the United States [2].

Franklin County is the proper place to sue if the incident or transaction happened in the county, or if the defendant lives in or regularly does business in Franklin County [2]. Only the person who is owed the money can file; you can’t sue to collect for someone else [2].

Who can speak in court. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer. A partnership can appear through a general partner. A corporation can send a lawyer, a non-lawyer officer, or a salaried employee, but a non-lawyer can only testify about facts they know and present documents; they can’t question witnesses, argue the law, or file motions [2].

Filing your claim

1. Fill out the complaint. Forms and instructions are on the court’s “Find My Form” page; there’s a handwritten version and an extra page if you need room [1][2]. Use each defendant’s full legal name. For a company, the Ohio Secretary of State’s records show its address or statutory agent [2].
2. File the original plus 3 copies with the Civil Case Filing Cover Sheet at the Clerk’s Civil Division, 3rd floor, 375 S. High St., in person or by mail [2]. Mailing it? Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope to get your time-stamped copies back [2].
3. Pay the costs, or ask for a waiver with an affidavit of indigency, which the duty judge approves [3].

The small claims cost went up $6 on August 1, 2026 [4]. A case can’t go to trial until the defendant is served [5].

Changing your complaint. An amended complaint replaces the original. File and serve it at least 7 days before the court date; closer than that, you need the magistrate’s permission [2].

If you’re the one being sued

You don’t have to file a written answer before the court date [7]. You do need to show up: a defendant who misses the hearing risks a judgment against them [5][7]. Other options [7]:

• Counterclaim: if the plaintiff owes you, file a counterclaim at least 7 calendar days before trial; $20 plus service, up to $6,000.
• Transfer: a counterclaim over $6,000 moves the case to the general civil division. You can also ask to transfer by filing an affidavit that you have a good defense, at least 5 days before trial.
• New date: use the court’s continuance request form.

Getting a new date

Each side can ask for one continuance of up to 30 days. File a signed, written request with the Clerk’s Civil Division at least 10 days before the court date, listing the case number, the parties and the trial date and time, by fax to (614) 645-6919 or by mail. A request filed later, for longer, or a second request needs a magistrate’s approval, and second requests are generally granted only in exceptional circumstances [5].

Free mediation

The court’s Dispute Resolution/Mediation department, on the 16th floor, helps both sides reach a written agreement with a neutral mediator, privately [6]. You can ask for mediation before you file, with a pre-file mediation request, or during a case; a magistrate may also send you to mediation before trial [5][6]. If you get a mail notice of mediation, confirm it online or at 614-645-8576, or the office may not be able to reach or reschedule you [6]. Hours are weekdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. [6]

The hearing

Hearings run Monday to Friday starting at 1:30 p.m. before a magistrate; there’s no jury [1][2]. Check your case status in the Clerk’s online case search, arrive early, and check in with the courtroom bailiff [5].

• Bring receipts, canceled checks, estimates, contracts and photos, with the original plus a copy for each party and one for the magistrate [5].
• Witnesses must know the facts first-hand; a written statement from someone who isn’t there is hearsay and won’t be admitted. Written repair estimates are allowed to show your loss [5].
• Car damage? Prove you own or lease the car with the title or lease, and show the loss with two repair estimates, a paid repair bill, or a collision repair expert’s testimony [5].
• Subpoenas for unwilling witnesses must be requested at least 7 days before trial [5].

The plaintiff goes first and has to prove the claim by a preponderance of the evidence . If the plaintiff doesn’t show up, the case is dismissed [5].

After the decision

The magistrate mails a written decision; a judge reviews it and signs the judgment [5]. You can ask for detailed findings within 7 days, and either side can file objections within 14 days ($20). Objecting to the facts means buying the trial transcript, and filing objections pauses collection until a judge rules [5]. After the final judgment, an appeal goes to the Tenth District Court of Appeals within 30 days; the court suggests talking to a lawyer first [5].

Collecting what you win

A judgment doesn’t pay itself. If the other side won’t pay, the Clerk’s office has these tools [8][3]:

A wage garnishment runs until the judgment is paid or for at least six months, and garnishments are paid in the order filed, so yours may wait behind others [8]. A judgment that sits five years without collection becomes dormant, but you can revive it within the next ten years [8]. Questions about collection forms: the Clerk’s Civil Division, (614) 645-7220 [8].

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation.