Filing for Dissolution in Ottawa County

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

Ottawa County, Ohio · Port Clinton

A dissolution is a fully agreed, jointly filed end to a marriage. Both spouses sign a Separation Agreement (and, with children, a parenting plan) before filing — there is no service of process and no contested hearing. It is filed in the Domestic Relations Division of the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas, 315 Madison St., Port Clinton, and the deposit is $500.

How do I file a dissolution in Ottawa County, Ohio?

Both spouses negotiate and sign a Separation Agreement (Form 19) resolving property, debt, and support — and, with children, a parenting plan and a child-support worksheet. Then file the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the signed agreement, the financial affidavits (Affidavits 1 and 2), and the $500 deposit in the Domestic Relations Division at the Clerk of Courts, 315 Madison St., Room 106B, Port Clinton. The court provides full dissolution packets for cases with and without children. The final hearing is held 30–90 days after filing; both spouses appear and the court issues the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

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: Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

315 Madison Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452
Phone: (419) 734-6790
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current hours with the court)
Website: www.ottawacocpcourt.com/domestic-relations/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Ottawa County Probate & Juvenile Court (Juvenile Division)
315 Madison Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452
Phone: (419) 734-6840
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on everything: property, debt, support, and (if any) parenting.
You can both sign a complete written Separation Agreement before filing.
You want to avoid service of process and a contested hearing.
Both spouses are willing to appear together at the final hearing.

If you don't yet agree on everything, or your spouse won't participate, a divorce is the right path. Compare divorce.

Filing Fees

$500 dissolution deposit · final hearing 30–90 days after filing · fee waiver by poverty affidavit · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 734-6755

Forms & Filing Packets

Joint dissolution packet (no minor children) — $500 deposit

File the Dissolution No Children full packet — the Petition (Form 17) with the signed Separation Agreement (Form 19), the financial affidavits, and the $500 deposit.

Dissolution No Children — Full Packet (Ottawa County DR) — The complete joint-dissolution packet for spouses with no minor children — petition, separation agreement, and affidavits.
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form 17, Ottawa County copy) — Both spouses file jointly, telling the court they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Form 19, Ottawa County copy) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign before a notary.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Affidavit 1, Ottawa County copy) — Each spouse's sworn income and expense disclosure. Required at filing; must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Affidavit 2, Ottawa County copy) — Lists every asset and debt of the marriage. Required at filing.

Joint dissolution packet (with minor children) — $500 deposit

Use the Dissolution With Children full packet and add the parenting and health-insurance affidavits, a parenting plan, and the child-support worksheet. Plan to complete the parenting-education class.

Dissolution With Children — Full Packet (Ottawa County DR) — The complete joint-dissolution packet for spouses with minor children — petition, separation agreement, parenting plan, and support paperwork.
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form 17, Ottawa County copy) — Both spouses file jointly, telling the court they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Form 19, Ottawa County copy) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign before a notary.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Affidavit 1, Ottawa County copy) — Each spouse's sworn income and expense disclosure. Required at filing; must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Affidavit 2, Ottawa County copy) — Lists every asset and debt of the marriage. Required at filing.
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Affidavit 3, Ottawa County copy) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last five years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4, Ottawa County copy) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Parenting Plan (Form 21, Ottawa County copy) — Used when one parent will be named residential parent and legal custodian.
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.

How to File Dissolution in Ottawa County

Reach a complete agreement. Both spouses sign a Separation Agreement (Form 19) settling property, debt, and support; with children, also a parenting plan and the Ohio support worksheet.
Assemble the petition packet. Download the Dissolution No Children or Dissolution With Children full packet, complete the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17), and gather the financial affidavits (Affidavits 1 and 2).
File jointly with the $500 deposit. File together at the Clerk of Courts, 315 Madison St., Room 106B, Port Clinton, and pay the $500 deposit (or file a poverty affidavit).
Attend the final hearing. Within 30–90 days both spouses appear and affirm the agreement, and the court issues the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

Ottawa County Practice Notes

Everything must be agreed before you file. A dissolution only works when both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement (Form 19) up front — property, debt, support, and, with children, a parenting plan. If you cannot agree on even one issue, the case cannot proceed as a dissolution and a divorce is the right path. Both spouses must also appear together at the final hearing 30–90 days after filing.
Parenting-education class for parents of minor children. When there are minor children, parents are generally expected to complete a parenting-education (coparenting) program before the dissolution is finalized. The court does not publish a single verified provider or cost — confirm the required class, deadline, and fee with the Domestic Relations Division at (419) 734-6790.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a dissolution cost in Ottawa County?: The Domestic Relations Division deposit to file a dissolution is $500 (the same category as a divorce). Because a dissolution is jointly filed with a signed agreement, there is usually no separate service cost. The deposit is applied against the court's actual costs and does not include attorney fees. Confirm the current deposit with the Clerk at (419) 734-6755.
What's the difference between an uncontested divorce and a dissolution in Ottawa County?: In Ohio they are different paths. An uncontested divorce is still a divorce you file alone — it becomes uncontested when the other spouse does not respond, cannot be found, or chooses not to fight, so the court can grant it by default. A dissolution is the fully agreed path: both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement before anything is filed, file jointly, and appear together at a single hearing 30–90 days later. If you both agree on everything in writing, dissolution is usually faster and lower-conflict; if your spouse won't participate, divorce is the right tool.
What are the residency requirements to file for divorce in Ottawa County?: Ohio law requires that you or your spouse have lived in Ohio for at least six months before filing for divorce, and local practice is to file in the county where you have lived for at least 90 days. A dissolution follows the same six-month Ohio residency rule. If neither spouse meets the six-month Ohio requirement yet, you may need to wait or consider a legal separation, which does not carry the same durational residency requirement.
Is a parenting class required in an Ottawa County divorce?: Parents of minor children in a Domestic Relations case are generally expected to complete a parenting-education (coparenting) program before the case is finalized. The court does not publish a single current provider, format, or cost in materials we can verify, so confirm the required class, the deadline to complete it, and the fee with the Domestic Relations Division at (419) 734-6790 when you file.
Do I file in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Ottawa County?: It depends on whether you were married to the other parent. If you are or were married, custody, parenting time, and support are decided in your divorce, dissolution, or legal separation in the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas, 315 Madison St., Port Clinton ((419) 734-6790, Judge Bruce Winters). If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and support are handled in the combined Probate & Juvenile Court at the same address ((419) 734-6840, Judge Frederick C. Hany II). Non-parent (grandparent or relative) custody is always filed in the Juvenile Division.

Free Local Resources in Ottawa County

Ottawa County Clerk of Courts (Common Pleas / Domestic Relations). 315 Madison St., Room 106B, Port Clinton, OH 43452. Phone (419) 734-6755; filings email cpclerksfilings@co.ottawa.oh.us; website https://ottawacountyclerkofcourts.com/. The Clerk accepts divorce, dissolution, legal-separation, annulment, and protection-order filings and confirms current deposits. Court staff cannot give legal advice.
Ottawa County Probate & Juvenile Court (Judge Frederick C. Hany II). 315 Madison St., Port Clinton, OH 43452. Juvenile Division (419) 734-6840; Probate Division (419) 734-6830; website https://www.ocpjcourt.com/. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents and non-parent custody, plus adoptions. Hours Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed noon–1:00 PM).
Ottawa County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). The county CSEA establishes, modifies, collects, and enforces child support and can establish parentage administratively. The court skill does not publish a current CSEA address, phone, or website — confirm the agency's current contact information with the Clerk or the county before relying on it.
Parenting / coparenting education. Parents of minor children in a Domestic Relations case are generally expected to complete a parenting-education (coparenting) program. The court skill does not publish a current provider, format, or cost — confirm the required class, deadline, and fee with the Domestic Relations Division before filing.

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.
Toledo family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Toledo metro.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

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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