Dissolution of Marriage in Mercer County, Ohio

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

Mercer County, Ohio · Celina · General Division

A dissolution is the fully-agreed, no-fault way to end a marriage. You and your spouse settle every issue first, sign a Separation Agreement, and file a joint Petition in the General Division (Judge Matthew K. Fox) through the Clerk of Courts in Celina. There is no plaintiff or defendant.

How do I file for dissolution in Mercer County, Ohio?

Reach full agreement and sign a Separation Agreement (Form 19), then file a joint Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with Affidavits 1–2 and Mercer's local waiver forms — DR 5 (Waiver of Magistrate's Decision), DR 9 (Waiver of Counsel, if applicable), and DR 11 (Waiver of Service of Summons) — with the Clerk of Courts in the General Division, Room 205, Celina. With children, add Affidavit 3, the DR 3/DR 4 worksheet, DR 10 (IV-D), and a parenting plan. Pay the $350 deposit. Parents of minors complete the $30 A-OK Parenting Program. The court sets the hearing 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64); both spouses must appear; then the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution.

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

Path	Ends the marriage?	Agreement required?	Best when
Dissolution	Yes	Yes — on every term before filing	Both spouses agree on everything and want the fastest, lowest-cost path
Divorce (contested)	Yes	No	Spouses disagree on property, support, or parenting and need a judge to decide
Divorce (uncontested / default)	Yes	No	One spouse will not respond or cannot be located
Legal separation	No — you stay married	Optional	You need court orders but must stay married (religion, insurance, or benefits)
Annulment	Treated as never valid	No	The marriage was never legally valid (fraud, bigamy, underage, or incapacity)

Where to File: Mercer County Court of Common Pleas — General Division (Clerk of Courts, Legal Division)

101 N Main St, Room 205, PO Box 28, Celina, OH 45822
Phone: (419) 586-6461
Hours: Monday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
Website: www.mercercountyoh.gov/elected-officials/clerk-of-courts/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Mercer County Court of Common Pleas — Probate/Juvenile Division
101 N Main St, Suite 307, Celina, OH 45822
Phone: (419) 586-1249
Hours: Monday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM

Dissolution is the right path if…

Dissolution is the right path in Mercer County if…

You and your spouse already agree on every issue — property, debt, support, and (with children) custody, parenting time, and child support.
You're willing to put the full agreement in a signed Separation Agreement (and a parenting plan if you have children).
Both of you are willing to attend the final hearing and confirm the agreement is voluntary and fair.
You want a faster, lower-conflict path than a contested divorce.
At least one spouse meets Ohio's residency rule (an Ohio resident for at least 6 months before filing).

Still disagree on something? File a divorce instead — you can settle later. Compare divorce

Filing Fees

$350 deposit (same as a divorce) · A-OK Parenting Program $30/person (parents of minors) · fee waiver under Loc.R. 2.05 (CM 31). The hearing is set 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64).

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution without minor children — $350 deposit

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Ohio SC Form 17) — Both spouses file jointly, telling the court they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Ohio SC Form 19) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign in front of a notary.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Waiver of Magistrate's Decision (Mercer DR 5) — A dissolution-packet waiver allowing the matter to proceed to decree without the usual magistrate's-decision objection period. Required local form in a Mercer County dissolution (Loc.R. 15.01).
Waiver of Service of Summons (Mercer DR 11) — In a dissolution there is no plaintiff/defendant, so both spouses sign this waiver instead of being formally served. A required local dissolution form (Loc.R. 15.01).
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

Dissolution with minor children — $350 deposit

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Ohio SC Form 17) — Both spouses file jointly, telling the court they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Ohio SC Form 19) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign in front of a notary.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
Waiver of Magistrate's Decision (Mercer DR 5) — A dissolution-packet waiver allowing the matter to proceed to decree without the usual magistrate's-decision objection period. Required local form in a Mercer County dissolution (Loc.R. 15.01).
Waiver of Service of Summons (Mercer DR 11) — In a dissolution there is no plaintiff/defendant, so both spouses sign this waiver instead of being formally served. A required local dissolution form (Loc.R. 15.01).
Notice to Attend the A-OK Parenting Program (Mercer DR 7) — Parents of minor children in a Mercer County divorce or dissolution must complete the A-OK Parenting Program ($30/person) before the final hearing (Common Pleas Loc.R. 21.02). The class runs the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November, 6:00–9:00 p.m., in Room 303 of the courthouse; you are registered automatically when you file and the court mails your assigned date. Tip: If you can't attend your assigned date, call 419-586-2122 to reschedule — late arrivals are not admitted.
IV-D Application for Child Support Services (Mercer DR 10) — Opens a child-support case with the Mercer County CSEA so support can be collected by wage withholding, distributed, and enforced. Required whenever the court sets or changes child support.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

How to File Dissolution in Mercer County

Reach full agreement and sign the Separation Agreement. Settle every issue — property, debt, support, and, with children, custody, parenting time, and child support — and put it in a Separation Agreement (Form 19). With children, also prepare a Parenting Plan or Shared Parenting Plan.
Assemble the petition and local waiver forms. Prepare the joint Petition (Form 17), Affidavits 1–2, and Mercer's local DR 5, DR 9 (if applicable), and DR 11 waiver forms. With children add Affidavit 3, the DR 3/DR 4 worksheet, and DR 10 (IV-D).
File, pay, and complete A-OK. File jointly with the Clerk of Courts in Room 205 and pay the $350 deposit (no personal checks). Parents of minor children must complete the $30 A-OK Parenting Program before the hearing.
Attend the hearing — both spouses required. The court sets the hearing 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64). Both spouses must appear and confirm they still agree and that the agreement is voluntary and fair; the judge then signs the Decree of Dissolution.

Mercer County Practice Notes

Mercer uses statewide AND local forms. Mercer County divorce and dissolution filings combine the statewide Uniform Domestic Relations Forms with local DR and SO forms — most notably the SO 1 restraint order and SO 2 parenting-time schedule. Filers who bring only a state packet are often surprised by the local forms, so use the Mercer bskpdf form library together with the Supreme Court forms.
Both spouses must appear. A dissolution cannot be finalized on the papers alone — both spouses must attend the final hearing and confirm they still want the dissolution. If agreement breaks down before the hearing, the matter can be converted to a divorce.
A-OK Parenting Program is required (divorce/dissolution). Parents of minor children in a divorce or dissolution must complete the A-OK Parenting Program ($30/person) before the final hearing (Common Pleas Loc.R. 21.02). It runs the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November, 6:00–9:00 p.m., in Room 303. You are registered automatically at filing and the court mails your date. The requirement comes from the DR local rules, so unmarried-parent custody cases in Juvenile Court are generally not ordered into A-OK.
Clerk of Courts hours and payment rules. DR and civil cases are filed with the Clerk of Courts (Calvin Freeman, Room 205, PO Box 28, 419-586-6461). The Legal Division is open Monday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Tuesday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. The Clerk does not accept personal checks — pay by cash, money order, or cashier's check, or online via LexisNexis (convenience fee applies).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Mercer County?: Ohio law sets the dissolution hearing 30 to 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64). Both spouses must appear at the final hearing and confirm they still agree to all terms — a dissolution cannot be finalized on the papers alone.
Do both spouses have to attend the dissolution hearing?: Yes. Both spouses must appear and confirm they still agree to every term and that the agreement is voluntary and fair. If anything is unresolved before the hearing, the matter should proceed as a divorce instead.
How much does a dissolution cost in Mercer County?: The General Division deposit for a dissolution is $350, the same as a divorce (Clerk fee schedule, eff. 4/1/2024). A fee waiver (CM 31, Loc.R. 2.05) is available if you cannot afford it. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk at 419-586-6461.
What local forms does a Mercer County dissolution require?: Besides the statewide Petition (Form 17) and Separation Agreement (Form 19), a Mercer dissolution requires the local waiver forms — DR 5 (Waiver of Magistrate's Decision), DR 9 (Waiver of Counsel, if applicable), and DR 11 (Waiver of Service of Summons). With children, add Affidavit 3, the DR 3/DR 4 worksheet, DR 10 (IV-D), and a parenting plan.
Is an uncontested divorce the same as a dissolution in Mercer County?: No. A dissolution is a joint filing used only when both spouses already agree on everything and sign a Separation Agreement first. An uncontested (default-style) divorce is still a lawsuit — used when a spouse won't participate or can't be found and is served by publication or posting (Civ.R. 4.4).
Do I have to take a parenting class in a Mercer County divorce?: Yes. Parents of minor children in a divorce or dissolution must complete the A-OK Parenting Program ($30/person) before the final hearing (Common Pleas Loc.R. 21.02). It runs the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November, 6:00–9:00 p.m., in Room 303 of the courthouse. You are registered automatically when you file.

Free Local Resources in Mercer County

Mercer County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division (divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, CPO). Clerk Calvin Freeman, 101 N. Main St., Room 205, PO Box 28, Celina, OH 45822; (419) 586-6461; fax (419) 586-5826; clerk@mercercountycourts.com. Files all Domestic Relations and civil cases and confirms current deposits (divorce, dissolution, and post-decree motions are each a $350 deposit eff. 4/1/2024). No personal checks — cash, money order, or cashier's check, or pay online via LexisNexis. Court staff cannot give legal advice. Confirm the current amount and any e-filing registration (Common Pleas Loc.R. 29) with the Clerk before filing.
Mercer County Court of Common Pleas — General Division (hears all Domestic Relations cases). Judge Matthew K. Fox, Magistrate Richard M. Delzeith, 101 N. Main St., Room 301, Celina, OH 45822; (419) 586-2122; cpc@mercercountycourts.com. Decides divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, DR post-decree, and domestic-violence civil protection orders. There is no separate Domestic Relations court.
Mercer County Probate/Juvenile Division (never-married parents, non-parent custody). Judge Matthew L. Gilmore, Suite 307 (3rd floor), 101 N. Main St., Celina, OH 45822; juvenile line (419) 586-1249 or (419) 586-2418; fax (419) 586-4506; https://mercercountycourts.com/index.php. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, plus grandparent and other non-parent custody. New custody/support/visitation/paternity cases carry a $200 deposit (plus a $25 stenographer's fee); confirm current amounts with the court.
Mercer County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). 220 W. Livingston St., Room B181, PO Box 649, Celina, OH 45822-0649; (419) 586-7961; toll-free 800-207-3597; fax (419) 586-2151; hours M–F 8:30 AM–4:00 PM. Opens IV-D child-support cases, establishes paternity administratively, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders.
A-OK Parenting Program (required for divorce/dissolution with minor children). Mercer County requires each parent in a divorce or dissolution with minor children to attend the A-OK Parenting Program before the final hearing (Common Pleas Loc.R. 21.02). Cost is a one-time $30 per person, paid at the class; you are registered automatically when you file, and the court mails your assigned date. The program runs 6:00–9:00 PM on the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November in Room 303 of the courthouse. Juvenile (never-married) cases are generally not ordered into A-OK. Call (419) 586-2122 to reschedule.
Ohio Legal Help & legal aid. Ohio Legal Help (https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/) has plain-English guides and the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms for divorce, custody, support, and protection orders. Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO) serves Mercer County for income-eligible residents — confirm the current intake line.

Related to your dissolution case

Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
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.

Related guides

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

Divorce vs. Dissolution in Ohio: Which Path Is Right for You? — Divorce and dissolution both end an Ohio marriage, but they work very differently. Dissolution is a no-fault, agreed process; divorce is a lawsuit for couples who can't agree. Here's how to choose.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Ohio? — The cost of an Ohio divorce ranges widely depending on conflict and complexity. Here's what drives the price — court fees, attorney fees, experts — and how to keep it manageable.
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Ohio? — There is no single answer to how long an Ohio divorce takes — an agreed dissolution can finish in a couple of months, while a contested divorce may run a year or more. Here's what drives the timeline.
Dividing Property in an Ohio Divorce — Ohio divides marital property equitably — meaning fairly, not always equally. The first step is classifying every asset and debt. Here's how the process works.

Keep exploring

Ohio Dissolution guide — Statewide overview of dissolution in Ohio.
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Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
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Understand the cost

Divorce vs. Dissolution in Ohio — How the two paths compare on agreement, timeline, and cost.
Ohio Divorce Cost & Timeline by Path — Compare cost and timeline across every path to ending a marriage.

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