Annulment in Hocking County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Hocking County, Ohio · Logan

An annulment is a court declaration that a marriage was never legally valid — for example bigamy, fraud, being underage, or incapacity. It's different from a divorce, which ends a valid marriage. Annulment requires one of the specific legal grounds in R.C. 3105.31.

How do I get an annulment in Hocking County, Ohio?

File a complaint for annulment with the same affidavits required in a divorce in the Hocking County Court of Common Pleas, General/DR Division, 1 East Main Street, Logan; (740) 385-2616, and prove a specific statutory ground under R.C. 3105.31 (bigamy, fraud, incapacity, underage, and others). The divorce/annulment deposit ($300.00) schedule applies (confirm the current amount). An annulment proceeds under the Civil Rules with proof of the ground.

Ohio Divorce by the Numbers

  • 6 months Ohio residency required before you can file Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03
  • 90 days Residency in the county of filing (venue) Source: Ohio Civ. R. 3
  • 30–90 days Typical time to finalize an uncontested dissolution Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.64
  • 1 year Living separate and apart that qualifies as no-fault grounds Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.01

Compare Your Options for Ending a Marriage in Ohio

PathEnds the marriage?Agreement required?Best when
DissolutionYesYes — on every term before filingBoth spouses agree on everything and want the fastest, lowest-cost path
Divorce (contested)YesNoSpouses disagree on property, support, or parenting and need a judge to decide
Divorce (uncontested / default)YesNoOne spouse will not respond or cannot be located
Legal separationNo — you stay marriedOptionalYou need court orders but must stay married (religion, insurance, or benefits)
AnnulmentTreated as never validNoThe marriage was never legally valid (fraud, bigamy, underage, or incapacity)

Where to File: Hocking County Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Division

1 East Main Street
Phone: (740) 385-4027
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: hocking.oh.gov/commonpleas

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Hocking County Juvenile Court (Common Pleas, Juvenile Division)
1 East Main Street
Phone: (740) 385-3615
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Annulment is the right path if…

  • You have a specific legal ground to show the marriage was invalid from the start.
  • A possible ground applies — bigamy, fraud, incapacity, or being underage (R.C. 3105.31).
  • You want the court to declare the marriage void or voidable, not end a valid marriage.
  • You understand a short marriage alone is not a ground for annulment.
  • If no ground applies, you are open to a divorce or dissolution instead.

Filing Fees

Filed as a domestic-relations action; the divorce/annulment deposit ($300.00) schedule applies — confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (740) 385-2616 · fee waiver via poverty affidavit.

Forms & Filing Packets

Annulment based on a statutory ground — $300.00 deposit schedule (confirm with the Clerk)

File the complaint adapted from the divorce forms with Affidavits 1 and 2 and the county Party Supplemental Information Affidavit, and be prepared to prove a specific R.C. 3105.31 ground. There is no single statewide annulment complaint form; confirm the current packet with the Clerk.

Annulment involving minor children — $300.00 deposit schedule (confirm with the Clerk)

Add the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, the Health Insurance Affidavit, the county Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavit, and a child-support worksheet so the court can resolve custody and support.

How to File Annulment in Hocking County

  1. Confirm a legal ground. Identify a specific R.C. 3105.31 ground (bigamy, fraud, incapacity, underage, or another listed ground). If none applies, consider a divorce or dissolution instead.
  2. Prepare the complaint and affidavits. Adapt the divorce complaint and file Affidavits 1 and 2, the county Party Supplemental Information Affidavit, and (with children) the parenting affidavits.
  3. File and serve. File with the Hocking County Clerk (the $300.00 divorce/annulment deposit schedule applies) and serve the other spouse.
  4. Prove the ground and get the judgment. An annulment proceeds under the Civil Rules; the court declares the marriage void or voidable and resolves related issues.

Hocking County Practice Notes

  • Annulment is narrow. An annulment needs a specific statutory ground (bigamy, fraud, incapacity, underage). A short marriage alone is not a ground; most people ending a valid marriage want a divorce or dissolution.
  • Heard by Magistrate Joe Nemec. Hocking County domestic-relations matters are heard by Magistrate Joe Nemec (Local Rule 10); Judge Jason M. Despetorich reviews the magistrate's decision and rules on any objections.
  • Fee waiver available (poverty affidavit). If you cannot afford the deposit, you may file a poverty affidavit before a deputy clerk and ask the court to waive the deposit (Local Rule 4.07). No personal checks; a card surcharge may apply. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (740) 385-2616.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an annulment just because the marriage was short?
No. An annulment requires a specific legal ground showing the marriage was never valid — such as bigamy, fraud, incapacity, or being underage (R.C. 3105.31). A short marriage alone is not a ground; most people ending a valid marriage want a divorce or dissolution.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Hocking County?
The Clerk's deposit is $300.00, with or without children. If you cannot afford it, file a poverty affidavit and the court may waive the deposit (Local Rule 4.07). No personal checks; a card surcharge may apply. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (740) 385-2616.
Which Hocking County court hears my family-law case?
Married/formerly married matters — divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, post-decree, and adult protection orders — are heard in the Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Division ((740) 385-4027). Never-married parentage, custody, support, companionship, and non-parent custody are heard in the Juvenile Court ((740) 385-3615). Both are at 1 East Main Street, Logan.
What if I can't afford the filing deposit in Hocking County?
File a poverty affidavit before a deputy clerk; the court may waive the deposit (Local Rule 4.07). Confirm the current amounts and accepted payment methods with the Clerk at (740) 385-2616 (no personal checks; a card surcharge may apply).

Free Local Resources in Hocking County

  • Hocking County DIY Divorce Forms. The Common Pleas Court's do-it-yourself divorce information and form links for self-represented filers: https://hocking.oh.gov/commonpleas/DIY-Divorce-Forms
  • Hocking County Common Pleas Forms. Domestic-relations forms, including the county Party and Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavits and the Notice of Intent to Relocate: https://hocking.oh.gov/commonpleas/Forms
  • Hocking County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Hocking County DJFS, 350 State Route 664 N, Logan, OH 43138; (740) 385-5663. Establish, modify, collect, and enforce child support (including interstate cases).
  • Ohio Child Support Calculator. The official 2024 Income Shares calculator used to estimate child support before you file: https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/
  • Hocking County Prosecutor — Victim Services & Sheriff. Help filing a protection order: Prosecutor's Office of Victim Services (740) 385-5343; Hocking County Sheriff's Office (740) 385-2131.

Other Family-Law Topics in Hocking County

Related to your annulment case

  • Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.
  • Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
  • Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on annulment and related Ohio family law topics.

Keep exploring

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.