Filing for Divorce in Erie County

Erie County, Ohio · Sandusky

An Erie County divorce is filed at the Court of Common Pleas at 323 Columbus Avenue in Sandusky in front of the General Division (Hon. Judge Binette) — Erie does not have a standalone DR Division. All scheduling runs through DR Assignment Commissioner Amanda Tubbs at (419) 627-7777. Erie's filing requirements blend Ohio SC standardized forms with several required Erie locals: the Application/Instructions/Financial Disclosure Forms packet, the DR Judgment Entry of Injunctions, and (if you need a fee waiver) Erie's local Affidavit of Indigency. Cell phones are not permitted inside the Courthouse. The DR Local Rules were updated in 2025.

How do I file for divorce in Erie County, Ohio?

File the Complaint for Divorce (Ohio SC Form 4 without children or Form 5 with children) at the Clerk of Courts on the 1st Floor, 323 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky. Include Erie's local Application/Instructions/Financial Disclosure Forms packet, the DR Judgment Entry of Injunctions, Affidavit 1 (Financial), and Affidavit 2 (Property). With children, add Affidavit 3 (UCCJEA/Parenting Proceeding), Affidavit 4 (Health Insurance), the Ohio Child Support Worksheet, and a parenting plan. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Erie County for at least 90 days. Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service applies before any final hearing; the defendant has 28 days to file an Answer. Filing fees are set by the Clerk's Schedule of Costs — call (419) 627-7732 or DR Commissioner Amanda Tubbs at (419) 627-7777. Affidavit of Indigency available if you cannot afford the fee. Court costs can be paid online through PayGov.

Where to File: Erie County Court of Common Pleas — General Division (Domestic Relations)

323 Columbus Avenue, 2nd Floor, Sandusky, OH 44870, Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: (419) 627-7732
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Website: www.eriecounty.oh.gov/DomesticRelations.aspx

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Erie County Juvenile Court
323 Columbus Avenue, 4th Floor, Sandusky, OH 44870, Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: (419) 627-7782
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Divorce is the right path if…

You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, parenting time, money, property, debt, or support).
Your spouse won't sign paperwork or won't communicate.
You need temporary orders now — for support, parenting time, or exclusive use of the home.
You or your spouse have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Erie County for at least 90 days.

If you and your spouse already agree on everything in writing, a Dissolution is faster — same court, joint petition. See Erie County dissolution.

Filing Fees

Filing fee deposit set by Clerk's Schedule of Costs — call (419) 627-7732 or DR Commissioner (419) 627-7777 · 42-day waiting period after service · 28 days to answer · PayGov for online cost payments · Affidavit of Indigency available

Forms & Filing Packets

Core divorce filing packet (no minor children) — Contact Clerk — set by Schedule of Costs

Erie requires both the Ohio SC standardized forms and several local forms — file them together.

Complaint for Divorce Without Children (Ohio SC Form 4) — Opens your Erie County divorce when there are no minor children.
Application, Instructions & Financial Disclosure Forms (Erie local packet) — Erie County's required intake/financial-disclosure packet — file at the same time as the Complaint or Petition.
DR Judgment Entry of Injunctions (Erie local) — Erie's mutual injunctive judgment entry — restrains both parties from harassment and from disposing of assets during the pendency of the case. Typically filed alongside the Complaint.
Financial Affidavit / Basic Information, Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Decree of Divorce Without Children (Ohio SC Form 14) — Proposed final order ending the marriage.

Core divorce filing packet (with minor children) — Contact Clerk — set by Schedule of Costs

Adds the UCCJEA/parenting affidavits, child support worksheet, and parenting plan to the no-children packet.

Complaint for Divorce With Children (Ohio SC Form 7) — Opens your Erie County divorce when minor children are involved. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child support.
Application, Instructions & Financial Disclosure Forms (Erie local packet) — Erie County's required intake/financial-disclosure packet — file at the same time as the Complaint or Petition.
DR Judgment Entry of Injunctions (Erie local) — Erie's mutual injunctive judgment entry — restrains both parties from harassment and from disposing of assets during the pendency of the case. Typically filed alongside the Complaint.
Financial Affidavit / Basic Information, Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit / UCCJEA (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any DR case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
Decree of Divorce With Children (Ohio SC Form 15) — Proposed final order for a divorce with minor children.

Shared parenting add-on

Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents and legal custodians under R.C. 3109.04(G).

Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.

Fee waiver add-on

Use Erie's local Affidavit of Indigency if you cannot afford the Clerk's cost deposit.

Affidavit of Indigency for Court Costs (Erie local) — Use to request waiver of the filing fee deposit if you cannot afford it. Erie's local form — use this rather than the Ohio SC version.

Temporary orders add-on packet

File under Civ. R. 75(N) with a current Affidavit 1 and Affidavit 2 attached. Erie's DR Injunctions Judgment Entry should already be in your initial packet.

Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ. R. 75(N)) — Asks the court for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or exclusive use of the home while the case is pending. Tip: Attach a current Affidavit 1 (Financial) and Affidavit 2 (Property).
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign.

How to File Divorce in Erie County

Confirm Ohio + Erie County residency. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Erie County for at least 90 days before filing.
Pick your grounds. Ohio recognizes no-fault grounds (living separate and apart for 1 year, or incompatibility unless denied) and fault grounds (adultery, extreme cruelty, gross neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, fraudulent contract, imprisonment, or willful absence for 1 year).
Assemble the Erie filing packet. Complaint (Form 4 or 5), Erie Application/Instructions packet (form_2_03.pdf), DR Judgment Entry of Injunctions, Affidavit 1, Affidavit 2 — plus with children, Affidavit 3, Affidavit 4, child support worksheet, and a parenting plan.
File at the Clerk on the 1st Floor, 323 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky. Pay the cost deposit set by the Clerk's Schedule of Costs (or file an Affidavit of Indigency). Court costs can also be paid online through PayGov.
Serve your spouse and wait 42 days. Service can be by certified mail, Sheriff, or process server. The defendant has 28 days to file an Answer or Counterclaim. A final hearing cannot be held until at least 42 days after service is completed.
Schedule through DR Commissioner Amanda Tubbs. All Erie DR scheduling — pretrials, contested hearings, final hearings — runs through Amanda Tubbs at (419) 627-7777.

Erie County Practice Notes

Erie has no dedicated DR Division. DR cases are heard by the General Division (Hon. Judge Binette). For any scheduling question, call DR Assignment Commissioner Amanda Tubbs at (419) 627-7777 rather than the general Clerk line — she coordinates all DR hearings.
Erie's local Application packet is required. Form_2_03.pdf — the Application/Instructions/Financial Disclosure Forms packet — is required at filing alongside the Ohio SC Complaint and Affidavits. Filing without it triggers a clerk-level rejection.
DR Judgment Entry of Injunctions. Erie publishes a local mutual injunctive judgment entry — typically filed alongside the Complaint to restrain both parties from harassment and from disposing of assets during the pendency of the case.
No cell phones in the Courthouse. Cell phones are not permitted inside the Erie County Courthouse, and everyone is screened by the Sheriff's Department on entry. Print every document you need in advance — you cannot pull anything up on your phone in the courtroom.
42-day waiting period is mandatory. Ohio law forbids a final divorce hearing until at least 42 days after service is perfected. This cannot be waived even when the case is uncontested.
Fee waivers use Erie's local Affidavit of Indigency. Form_1_02.pdf — Erie's local Affidavit of Indigency for Court Costs — is the right form for fee waivers. Use this rather than the Ohio SC affidavit.
Pay online through PayGov. Erie accepts online cost payments at pay.paygov.us for civil, criminal, and domestic cases. You will need your case number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Erie County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Erie County for at least 90 days before filing. Dissolution only requires the 6-month Ohio residency.
How much does it cost to file in Erie County DR?: Erie County publishes its DR filing fees through the Clerk's Schedule of Costs rather than as a flat-rate fee table. Call the Clerk of Courts at (419) 627-7732 (or DR Assignment Commissioner Amanda Tubbs at (419) 627-7777) for the current cost deposit. An Affidavit of Indigency (Erie local form) is available if you cannot afford the fee. Court costs can be paid online through PayGov.
Does Erie County have a dedicated Domestic Relations Court?: No. Erie County hears DR cases through its General Division judges — Hon. Judge Binette presides — rather than through a separate DR division. All DR scheduling and coordination runs through Domestic Relations Assignment Commissioner Amanda Tubbs at (419) 627-7777. For any scheduling question, call Amanda Tubbs directly rather than the general Clerk line.
Who is the DR Assignment Commissioner and what does she do?: Amanda Tubbs is Erie County's Domestic Relations Assignment Commissioner. She handles scheduling for all DR cases — divorces, dissolutions, post-decree motions, and contempt hearings — and is the right point of contact for setting and resetting hearings. Direct line (419) 627-7777.
Can I bring my cell phone to the Erie County Courthouse?: No. Cell phones are NOT permitted inside the Erie County Courthouse, and everyone entering the building is screened by the Sheriff's Department. Plan to leave your phone in your car. Print every document you need in advance — you will not be able to pull anything up on your phone in the courtroom.
What Erie-specific forms do I need to file with my case?: Erie publishes several local forms that must be filed alongside the Ohio SC standardized forms: the Application/Instructions/Financial Disclosure Forms packet (form_2_03.pdf), the Affidavit of Indigency for Court Costs (form_1_02.pdf, if you need a fee waiver), the DR Judgment Entry of Injunctions (typically filed with the Complaint), and the Waiver of Legal Counsel (if you are unrepresented). Erie also has its own Notice of Voluntary Dismissal form for withdrawing a pending case.
Can I pay court costs online?: Yes — Erie County uses PayGov for online court-cost payments. Civil, criminal, and domestic cases can all be paid through pay.paygov.us. You will need your case number to look up the balance.
How long does an Erie County divorce take?: Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service applies before any final hearing. Uncontested divorces typically run 4-6 months; contested cases routinely run 8-18 months depending on discovery and the court's calendar. The defendant has 28 days to file an Answer after service. All scheduling runs through DR Assignment Commissioner Amanda Tubbs at (419) 627-7777.

Free Local Resources in Erie County

Erie County DR Division. 323 Columbus Avenue, 2nd Floor, Sandusky, OH 44870. Phone (419) 627-7732. Toll-free 1 (888) 399-6065. Hon. Judge Binette presides (General Division).
DR Assignment Commissioner — Amanda Tubbs. Direct line (419) 627-7777. Handles all DR scheduling and coordination.
Erie County Clerk of Courts. 323 Columbus Avenue, 1st Floor, Sandusky, OH 44870. Phone (419) 627-7732.
Erie County DR Forms Hub. eriecounty.oh.gov/FormsforDomesticRelations.aspx — local Application/Instructions packet, Affidavit of Indigency, DR Injunctions JE, Voluntary Dismissal, and more.
Erie County DR Local Rules (PDF, 2025). eriecounty.oh.gov/Downloads/DR_RULES20253.pdf — current as of 2025.
PayGov — Pay Court Costs Online. pay.paygov.us — civil, criminal, and domestic case court costs.
Public Case Search. clerkofcourts.eriecounty.oh.gov/eservices/home.page.2 — public docket search.
Erie County Juvenile Court. 323 Columbus Avenue, 4th Floor, Sandusky. Phone (419) 627-7782. Hon. Robert C. DeLamatre.
Erie County Juvenile Justice Center. 1338 Tiffin Avenue, Sandusky — 24-hour Juvenile Detention + Northern Ohio Juvenile Community Corrections.
Juvenile Probation / Mediation / Diversion. 221 West Parish Street, Sandusky. Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Legal Aid Line of Western Ohio. 1-888-534-1432 · legalaidline.org — free civil legal help.
Erie County Bar Association. Phone (419) 627-2009 — lawyer referral.
Erie County Public Defender. Phone (419) 627-6620.
Safe Harbour. Domestic violence assistance — contact Erie County Prosecutor's Office for connection.
Ohio Supreme Court Standardized Forms. supremecourt.ohio.gov — Erie DR uses Ohio SC standardized forms alongside Erie locals.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the worksheet and print it for filing.
Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — plain-language guides and interactive court forms.

Related to your divorce case

Divorce & Dissolution — End your marriage through a contested divorce or an amicable dissolution.
Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.

Keep exploring

Ohio Divorce guide — Statewide overview of divorce in Ohio.
Cleveland family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Cleveland metro.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
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