Filing for Divorce with Children in Hamilton County

File for divorce with minor children in the Hamilton County Court of Domestic Relations. Step-by-step guidance, 12 required forms, ~$375 filing fee, parenting class requirements, and Ohio attorney help.

Hamilton County's Court of Domestic Relations sits at 800 Broadway in downtown Cincinnati and runs one of the most established self-help operations in Ohio — a dedicated Self-Help Center on the 3rd floor and a weekly Family Law Clinic in Room 2-68. Filing fees are mid-range ($375 with children, $325 without), and the court is unusually strict about one thing: the Questionnaire (Form 1-1) must be typed, not handwritten.

Hamilton County Court of Domestic Relations

800 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 946-9150
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/government/courts/court_of_domestic_relations/index.php
e-Filing: Hamilton County Clerk e-Filing

Docket Office, Room 3-46, in person — or e-file at courtclerk.org.

Filing Fees

$375 with children • $325 without children

Payment methods: Cash, personal check, certified check, money order, Mastercard, Visa, Amex, Discover. Cardholder must be present and a processing fee applies.

Hamilton County Procedure Quirks

  • Questionnaire (Form 1-1) must be typed — handwritten copies are rejected.
  • Bring a copy of your driver's license, front and back, when you file.
  • Original + 3 copies for Certified Mail / Regular Mail / Sheriff service; Original + 4 copies for Publication or Posting.
  • Cardholder must be present when paying the filing fee by credit card.

Parenting Class

Children in Between (online) — Center for Divorce Education — Hamilton-court-approved (https://online.divorce-education.com)
Certification is valid for 2 years. Both parents must complete it before the final hearing.

Hamilton County Juvenile Court

800 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (Youth Center: 2020 Auburn Ave)
Phone: (513) 946-9200
Hours: Clerk's Office: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (in-person filings cut off at 3:30 p.m.). Youth Center Intake: 24/7.
Website: juvenile-court.org

Hears custody, parenting time, child support, and paternity for unmarried parents — plus delinquency, unruly, juvenile traffic, and abuse/neglect/dependency cases involving children under 18.

Domestic Relations vs. Juvenile

Married couples file divorce, dissolution, and related custody/support at the Court of Domestic Relations (800 Broadway). Never-married parents file custody, parenting time, and child support at Juvenile Court (same downtown campus, separate clerk).

Free Local Resources in Hamilton County

  • Self-Help Center (800 Broadway, 3rd Floor). Six stations with instructions, printers, and software for drafting and filing documents. Free for anyone. Open Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Hamilton County Family Law Clinic (Room 2-68). Free legal advice from volunteer attorneys for income-qualified self-represented parties. Tues 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and Thurs 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Contact: FLC@dr.hamiltoncountyohio.gov • (513) 946-9071.
  • Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati. (513) 241-9400 — income-qualified family law help.

Related to your divorce

  • 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.

Call +1-844-694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.