Filing for Divorce in Franklin County

Franklin County, Ohio · Columbus

Divorces in Franklin County are handled by the Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations at 373 South High Street, Columbus. Below is everything you need — court info, the right stack of forms for your situation, filing fees, and what to expect — plus attorney help if you decide you want it.

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

File a Complaint for Divorce (Supreme Court Form 6 without children, Form 7 with children) with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, at 373 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215, or e-file at drj.fccourts.org. The deposit is approximately $300 without children and $350 with children. You or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months and a Franklin County resident for at least 90 days before filing.

Where to File: Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations

373 South High Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-3922
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Website: drj.fccourts.org
e-Filing: https://efiling.franklincountyohio.gov/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Juvenile Branch
399 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-3902
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Divorce is the right path if…

You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, money, property, debt, or support).
Your spouse won't sign paperwork, won't communicate, or you can't safely reach an agreement.
You need temporary orders now (support, exclusive use of the home, parenting time).
You or your spouse have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months and a Franklin County resident for at least 90 days.

If you and your spouse already agree on everything in writing, you may want a Dissolution instead — it's faster and cheaper. See dissolution options.

Filing Fees

~$300 without children · ~$350 with children · Cash, money order, certified check, or credit/debit card

Forms & Filing Packets

Core divorce filing packet (no children) — ~$300 deposit

Complaint for Divorce without Children (Supreme Court Form 6) — Opens your divorce case and tells Franklin DR what you're asking for. Use when you and your spouse have no minor children together.
Affidavit of Property — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing and reused for temporary orders. Tip: Use "Est." for unknown values and "None" where something doesn't apply.
Affidavit of Income and Expenses — Snapshot of gross income, take-home pay, and monthly household expenses. Required at filing.
Request for Service / Instructions for Service — Tells the Clerk how you want the other party served (certified mail, Sheriff, or publication).
Copy of your driver's license or state ID — Front and back. If e-filing, upload as PDF with your packet.

Core divorce filing packet (with minor children) — ~$350 deposit

Complaint for Divorce with Children (Supreme Court Form 7) — The divorce Complaint used when you and your spouse have minor children together. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child-support allegations.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's jurisdiction over custody.
Health Insurance Affidavit — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet — Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you're asking the court to set support.
IV-D Application for Child Support Services — Opens your case with Franklin County CSEA so support can be collected, tracked, and enforced through wage withholding.
Affidavit of Property — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing and reused for temporary orders. Tip: Use "Est." for unknown values and "None" where something doesn't apply.
Affidavit of Income and Expenses — Snapshot of gross income, take-home pay, and monthly household expenses. Required at filing.
Request for Service / Instructions for Service — Tells the Clerk how you want the other party served (certified mail, Sheriff, or publication).
Copy of your driver's license or state ID — Front and back. If e-filing, upload as PDF with your packet.

Temporary orders add-on packet

In Franklin County, the Magistrate decides temporary-orders motions on the affidavits — typically without an oral hearing. Either party has 28 days to request an oral hearing if they disagree.

Motion and Affidavit for Temporary Orders — Asks the Magistrate for temporary spousal/child support, parenting time, exclusive use of the home, and bill responsibility while your case is pending. In Franklin, the Magistrate usually decides on the affidavits without an oral hearing. Tip: Attach current Affidavits of Property and Income/Expenses — Franklin DR routinely denies bare-bones motions.
Request for Oral Hearing on Temporary Orders — If either party disagrees with the Magistrate's temporary-orders decision, they have 28 days to request an oral hearing.
Mutual Restraining Order (Motion + Proposed Order) — Franklin DR does NOT automatically issue a mutual restraining order at filing. File a separate motion + proposed order if you need one to stop asset transfers, debt run-up, or insurance lapses. This is not a no-contact order.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet — Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you're asking the court to set support.

How to File Divorce in Franklin County

Confirm Ohio residency and Franklin County venue. You or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months and a Franklin County resident for at least 90 days.
Decide whether you are filing the Complaint or answering one. Filing Form 6 (no kids) or Form 7 (with kids) opens the case. If you were served, file an Answer within 28 days or risk default.
Decide whether to request temporary orders. Strongly recommended in cases with minor children or financial dependency. The Franklin Magistrate decides on the affidavits — no oral hearing unless one party requests one within 28 days.
Assemble the correct forms packet. Core complaint + Affidavits of Property and Income/Expenses, plus the children packet (UCCJEA, child-support worksheet, IV-D, health insurance) when applicable, plus a temporary-orders motion if needed.
File at 373 South High Street or e-file at drj.fccourts.org. Deposit is ~$300 without children or ~$350 with children, paid to the Franklin County DR Clerk. Card payments include a processing fee.
Complete "Helping Children Succeed After Divorce" (if children) and file the Certificate. Required for both parents in any case with minor children. About $40 per parent, takes about 4 hours, and the Certificate must be filed before the final hearing.

Franklin County Practice Notes

No automatic restraining order. Franklin DR does NOT issue a mutual restraining order at filing. File a separate Motion + proposed Order if you need one.
Temporary orders are decided on affidavits. The Magistrate rules on the paperwork, not at a hearing. Attach current financial affidavits or your motion will be denied.
Two physical intakes. DR is on the upper floors at 373 South High Street; the Juvenile Branch is a separate building at 399 South Front Street.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Franklin County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months immediately before filing, and a Franklin County resident for at least 90 days. For dissolution, only the 6-month Ohio residency applies — there is no separate Franklin County residency requirement. For juvenile-branch cases (paternity, never-married custody, child support), Ohio must be the children's 'home state' under the UCCJEA, which generally means the children have lived in Ohio for the last 6 months.
How much does it cost to file in Franklin County DR?: Approximate deposits: divorce or legal separation $300 without children / $350 with children; dissolution $250 without children / $300 with children; annulment $300/$350. Juvenile Branch filings (paternity, never-married custody, child support, modifications) are typically $100-$150. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at 373 South High Street (DR) or 399 South Front Street (Juvenile) before filing.
How long does the case usually take?: Dissolution: 30-90 days from filing to the final hearing. Uncontested divorce or legal separation: 4-6 months. Contested divorce: 6-18 months depending on temporary-orders activity and the Magistrate's calendar. Paternity: 60-120 days if uncontested, longer if genetic testing or contested allocation is involved. Civil Protection Orders: ex parte order the same day; full hearing within 7-10 days; final order can last up to 5 years.
Can I e-file in Franklin County?: Yes. Domestic Relations filings go through drj.fccourts.org/efiling — attorneys must e-file unless excepted, and self-represented parties may e-file or file in person at 373 South High Street. The Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street accepts in-person filings; some Juvenile filings can be submitted electronically — call (614) 525-3902 to confirm before filing.
How do temporary orders work in Franklin County?: Franklin DR Magistrates decide most temporary-orders motions on the affidavits, often without an oral hearing. Either party then has 28 days to file a written Request for Oral Hearing if they disagree with the decision. Attach current Affidavits of Property and Income/Expenses — motions without complete financial affidavits are routinely denied.
Does Franklin County issue an automatic restraining order at filing?: No. Unlike some Ohio counties, Franklin DR does not issue an automatic mutual restraining order when you file. If you need one — to stop your spouse from moving money, dropping insurance, hiding marital assets, or running up new debt in your name — you must file a separate Motion for Mutual Restraining Order and a proposed Order. It is not a no-contact order.
Is the parenting class really required?: Yes — under R.C. 3109.053 and Franklin DR local rule, both parents in any divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment involving minor children must complete "Helping Children Succeed After Divorce" and file the Certificate of Completion before the final hearing. The online class runs about $40 per parent and takes about 4 hours. The Juvenile Branch has a comparable requirement for never-married custody cases.
Will my case be heard by a Judge or a Magistrate?: Most pretrial conferences, temporary-orders motions, and even contested final hearings in Franklin DR are heard by a Magistrate. The Magistrate issues a Magistrate's Decision; either party then has 14 days to file Objections, which are decided by the assigned Judge. Civil Protection Order full hearings are heard directly by the assigned Judge.
Are remote / Zoom hearings available?: Yes — Franklin DR and the Juvenile Branch both offer Zoom and telephonic hearings on motion. Most pretrial conferences, status conferences, and uncontested final hearings can be held remotely if both parties agree and the assigned Magistrate or Judge approves. Civil Protection Order full hearings are usually in person.

Free Local Resources in Franklin County

Franklin County DR Self-Help Resource Center. 373 South High Street. Forms, computer terminals, limited procedural help. Cannot give legal advice. Mon–Fri during court hours.
Legal Aid Society of Columbus. (614) 241-2001. Income-qualified family law representation and advice clinics across central Ohio.
Columbus Bar Lawyer Referral Service. (614) 221-0754. Paid 30-minute consultation referrals to vetted Franklin County family-law attorneys.
Franklin County CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency). (614) 525-3275. Opens IV-D cases and collects/distributes child support through wage withholding.
Franklin County Juvenile Branch Help Center. 399 South Front Street. Procedural help for self-represented filers on never-married custody, paternity, and support cases.

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.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
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