Dissolution of Marriage in Scioto County

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

Scioto County, Ohio · Portsmouth

A dissolution is Ohio's agreed, no-fault path to ending a marriage. Both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement up front and file a joint petition in the Scioto County Domestic Relations Division — there are no fault grounds and no one is "sued." By statute the final hearing is held 30 to 90 days after filing, and both spouses appear together to confirm the agreement.

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

Both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement (Ohio Form 19) settling property, debt, and support, then jointly file a Petition for Dissolution (Ohio Form 17) in the Scioto County Domestic Relations Division, 602 7th St, Room 303, Portsmouth, with each party's Financial Disclosure Affidavit (DR Form 5). With minor children, add a parenting plan, the child-support worksheet, and complete Successful Co-Parenting. The deposit is $250. By statute (R.C. 3105.64) the hearing is set 30 to 90 days after filing, and both spouses must appear.

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: Scioto County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

602 7th St, Room 303, Portsmouth, OH 45662, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: (740) 355-8316
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM)
Website: sciotocountydrcourt.com

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Scioto County Juvenile Court
602 7th St #201, Portsmouth, OH 45662, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: (740) 355-8306
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM)

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on every issue — property, debt, support, and parenting.
You can both sign a complete Separation Agreement before filing.
You want a faster, lower-conflict path than a contested divorce.
You and your spouse can both appear together at the final hearing 30–90 days after filing.

If you can't reach full agreement, a divorce lets the court decide the open issues. Compare divorce.

Filing Fees

DR filing deposit $250 · Mediation Fund $40 at filing · final hearing 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64) · both spouses must appear · confirm amounts with the Clerk's Legal Division.

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution without minor children — $250 DR deposit (plus $40 Mediation Fund)

Both spouses sign the Separation Agreement and file the joint petition together.

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.
Financial Disclosure Affidavit (Scioto County DR Form 5) — Scioto County's local financial-disclosure affidavit listing income, expenses, assets, and debts. Mandatory disclosure is due within 60 days under DR Rule 2.01. Obtain the current form from the DR Court and confirm requirements with the Clerk.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

Dissolution with minor children — $250 DR deposit (plus $40 Mediation Fund)

Add a parenting plan and the child-support worksheet, and complete Successful Co-Parenting before the hearing.

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.
Financial Disclosure Affidavit (Scioto County DR Form 5) — Scioto County's local financial-disclosure affidavit listing income, expenses, assets, and debts. Mandatory disclosure is due within 60 days under DR Rule 2.01. Obtain the current form from the DR Court and confirm requirements with the Clerk.
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.
Successful Co-Parenting Registration (Scioto County DR Form 11) — Registers you for the court-approved "Successful Co-Parenting" seminar (OSU Extension), required in any DR case with minor children. Complete the 3-hour online program within 60 days and file the certificate before the final hearing (DR Rule 6.02).
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

How to File Dissolution in Scioto County

Reach full agreement. Settle every issue — property, debt, spousal support, and (if you have children) custody, parenting time, and child support.
Sign the Separation Agreement. Both spouses sign the Separation Agreement (Form 19) in front of a notary. With children, attach a parenting plan and the child-support worksheet.
File the joint petition. File the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) jointly in the Domestic Relations Division with each party's Financial Disclosure Affidavit (DR Form 5) and the $250 deposit.
Complete the parenting class (if children). Both parents finish Successful Co-Parenting and file the certificate before the hearing (DR Rule 6.02).
Attend the hearing together. The court sets the hearing 30 to 90 days after filing; both spouses appear, confirm the agreement, and the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution.

Scioto County Practice Notes

Both spouses must appear at the hearing. A dissolution is built on agreement, so both petitioners sign the Separation Agreement and both must appear at the final hearing to confirm it. If either spouse withdraws consent before the decree, the case cannot proceed as a dissolution — you would convert it to a divorce.
DR filing deposit is $250 (post-decree $130). The Scioto County Domestic Relations Division deposit for a new divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment is $250, paid to the Clerk at filing (schedule eff. 1/1/2024). A reopened case or post-decree motion is $130. The Mediation Fund adds $40 at filing ($50 on a modification) under DR Rule 8.13. A Poverty Affidavit (DR Form 12) waives the deposit if you can't afford it. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk's Legal Division.
"Successful Co-Parenting" is required with minor children. Each parent in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or custody case with minor children completes the "Successful Co-Parenting" seminar through OSU Extension — a 3-hour research-based program taken online at scponline.osu.edu — within 60 days of service of the complaint or filing of the petition, and files the certificate before the final hearing (DR Rule 6.02). The provider charges a minimal fee; confirm the current cost when you register.
Court-connected mediation (ASAP Mediation Services). The Domestic Relations Division can refer parenting and other disputes to ASAP (Adams, Scioto and Pike) Mediation Services. Mediation is free to the public — it is funded by the Mediation Fund collected at filing ($40 for divorce/dissolution/legal separation/paternity; $50 for modifications, DR Rule 8.13). Every referral is screened for domestic violence; the Juvenile Division offers its own in-house mediation under Juv. Local Rule 16.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Scioto County?: By statute (R.C. 3105.64) the final hearing in a dissolution is held 30 to 90 days after the joint petition is filed. Both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement (Ohio Form 19) — plus a parenting plan and child-support worksheet if there are minor children — file jointly in the Scioto County Domestic Relations Division on the $250 deposit, complete the Successful Co-Parenting class if children are involved, and appear together at the hearing, where the judge signs the decree.
How much does it cost to file in the Scioto County Domestic Relations Division?: The deposit for a new divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment is $250, paid to the Clerk of Courts at filing (Clerk fee schedule, rev. 1/1/2024). A reopened case or post-decree motion is $130. The Mediation Fund adds $40 at filing for divorce/dissolution/legal separation/paternity ($50 for a modification) under DR Rule 8.13, and a Guardian ad Litem deposit, when one is appointed, is $800 (DR Rules 1.06(E)/3.07(B)). A Poverty Affidavit (DR Form 12) or Affidavit of Indigency waives the deposit if you can't afford it. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk's Legal Division (https://sciotoclerk.com/legal-division/) or the DR Division at (740) 355-8316 before filing.
Is a parenting class required for custody cases in Scioto County?: Yes, for cases with minor children. The Domestic Relations Division requires both parents in a divorce, dissolution, or legal separation involving minor children to complete "Successful Co-Parenting," a 3-hour research-based seminar offered through Ohio State University Extension and taken online at https://scponline.osu.edu (registered via DR Form 11). It must be completed within 60 days after service of the divorce complaint or filing of the dissolution petition, and the Certificate of Attendance is furnished to the court at the final pretrial or dissolution hearing (DR Rule 6.02). The cost is minimal, paid to the provider. The Juvenile Local Rules do not establish a separate stand-alone parenting class — confirm with the Juvenile Court whether one is required in a custody case.
What are the residency requirements to file for custody in Scioto County?: For custody decided inside a divorce, dissolution, or annulment, Ohio law generally requires a spouse to have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months before filing (R.C. 3105.03), with county venue where the plaintiff has resided (commonly about 90 days, Civ.R. 3). A legal separation has no 6-month residency requirement. For never-married parents, Ohio must be the children's "home state" under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127) — generally, the children have lived in Ohio for the last 6 consecutive months.

Free Local Resources in Scioto County

Scioto County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division. Provides the current Clerk fee schedule (rev. 1/1/2024), local forms, and filing instructions for divorce, dissolution, and custody cases. Visit https://sciotoclerk.com/legal-division/ before filing to confirm deposits and accepted payment methods.
Scioto County Domestic Relations Division. The standalone DR court (Judge Jerry L. Buckler; Magistrate Robert M. Johnson) at 602 7th St, Room 303, Portsmouth, (740) 355-8316 (fax (740) 355-8205). Hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, parentage, custody, and support, and distributes the DR packets and local forms. Hours Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM). https://sciotocountydrcourt.com
Scioto County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Scioto County's IV-D agency at 710 Court Street, Portsmouth, opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. Confirm the agency's current direct phone. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
"Successful Co-Parenting" Parenting Class — OSU Extension. The court-approved 3-hour parenting-education seminar for parents with minor children, taken online at https://scponline.osu.edu (registered via DR Form 11). Complete it within 60 days and file the Certificate of Attendance before the final hearing (DR Rule 6.02).

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.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus 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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