Filing for Annulment in Stark County

Stark County, Ohio · Canton

An annulment treats a marriage as if it never legally existed, available only on specific Ohio grounds such as bigamy, underage marriage, fraud, or incapacity. Stark County's Family Court handles annulments using its own assembled packets, and they are rarer and more fact-specific than divorce.

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

Use the Stark County Family Court's assembled Annulment packet (with or without children) and file it with the Clerk's Domestic Relations Division at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton, OH 44702. The deposit is $391. The complaint must state a specific statutory ground — bigamy, marriage under age 18 without consent, mental incapacity, fraud, force, or an unconsummated marriage — and you must include sworn financial statements (plus a UCCJEA affidavit and worksheet if there are children). Annulment must be sought promptly after discovering the ground; if denied, you may pursue a divorce or dissolution.

Where to File: Stark County Family Court (Domestic Relations & Juvenile Divisions)

110 Central Plaza South, Suite 670, Canton, OH 44702, Canton, OH 44702
Phone: (330) 451-7415
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Website: www.starkcountyohio.gov/government/legal___judicial/family_court/index.php

Annulment is the right path if…

Your marriage may be voidable on a specific Ohio ground (bigamy, underage, fraud, force, incapacity, or non-consummation).
You acted promptly after discovering the ground.
You want the marriage declared void rather than ended by divorce.
You meet Ohio residency requirements.

Most marriages don't qualify for annulment. If yours doesn't, a divorce or dissolution is the right path. See divorce options.

Filing Fees

$391 deposit · Granted only on specific statutory grounds

Forms & Filing Packets

Annulment packet (no children) — $391 deposit

Annulment without Children (Stark assembled packet) — Stark County's assembled annulment packet for cases with no minor children, stating the statutory ground and including the sworn financial statements.

Annulment packet (with minor children) — $391 deposit

Annulment with Children (Stark assembled packet) — Stark County's assembled annulment packet for cases with minor children; the UCCJEA affidavit and child-support worksheet are required.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's jurisdiction over custody.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet — Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you're asking the court to set support.

How to File Annulment in Stark County

Identify the statutory ground. Confirm your situation fits an Ohio annulment ground and that you are acting promptly after discovering it.
Complete the annulment packet. Use the Stark Annulment with/without Children packet, stating the ground and including sworn financial statements.
File with the Clerk's DR Division and pay the deposit. File at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton. The deposit is $391. Arrange service on your spouse.
Attend the hearing. Prove the ground at the hearing. If the annulment is denied, you can pursue a divorce or dissolution.

Stark County Practice Notes

Annulment requires a statutory ground. Ohio annulments are limited to bigamy, marriage under age 18 without consent, mental incapacity, fraud, force, or an unconsummated marriage. Without one of these grounds, the court cannot annul — you would need a divorce or dissolution.
Children of an annulled marriage are still legitimate. Even if a marriage is annulled, children born during it remain legitimate, and the court still allocates custody and sets support — which is why the annulment-with-children packet includes the UCCJEA affidavit and worksheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Stark County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months before filing and a Stark County resident for at least 90 days. For dissolution, only the 6-month Ohio residency applies. For Juvenile Division cases (paternity, never-married custody, child support), UCCJEA compliance is mandatory — Ohio must be the children's home state, generally meaning they've lived here for the last 6 months (Family Court Rule 16.01). The Stark County Family Court is at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 670, Canton.
How much does it cost to file in Stark County?: Stark County Family Court deposits (effective March 17, 2025): Complaint for Divorce or Annulment $391 (add $50 for every 5 defendants beyond the first 4); Dissolution $371; Legal Separation $359; a counterclaim or cross-claim $251; reopening a closed case $273; a Custody Register Petition $313; a garnishment $50; and a new Juvenile complaint $307. A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order takes no deposit. These are minimum deposits — total case costs vary. Pay the Stark County Clerk of Courts (checks payable to 'Stark County Clerk of Courts'); for a total-cost quote call (330) 451-7801.
How long does a Stark County case usually take?: Dissolution: the hearing is set about 6 weeks after filing and must occur 30-90 days after filing (Rule 13.02). Uncontested (default) divorce: if no answer, motion, or leave to plead is filed within 28 days after service, the case is uncontested, but no divorce, annulment, or legal separation is heard until 42 days after service (Rule 13.01). Contested divorce: trial roughly 4-12 months without children or 4-18 months with children. A temporary-orders hearing can be set within 1-21 days.
Is a parenting class required in Stark County?: Yes. Under Rule 12.04, parents filing a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or custody action involving minor children must complete a court-approved parent-education program. Separately, under Rule 16.06, unmarried parents filing an initial parental-rights action must complete the online 'Working Together for Kids' seminar — and the moving party must finish it before the initial hearing or the matter is dismissed. The initial filing must include the order to complete the seminar, the registration/instruction sheet, and the mediation flyer.

Free Local Resources in Stark County

Stark County Family Court Help Desk. Free help for self-represented parties completing and reviewing divorce and custody forms, plus questions on court procedure and notary services. Mondays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., first come first served; check in with the reception bailiff in the lobby, (330) 451-7415. Help Desk attorneys do not represent you or give legal advice.
Stark County Family Court — Court Filing Forms & Brochures. The court's assembled filing packets for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, custody, support, contempt, and protection orders, hosted in the county Document Center at starkcountyohio.gov. The court notes the forms are a resource only and not a substitute for legal advice.
Stark County Law Library. Public legal-research help at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 401, Canton, (330) 451-7380, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Domestic Violence Project, Inc. (DVPI). Shelter, advocacy, and support for those experiencing domestic violence in Stark County. Learn more at dvpi.org.

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.

Keep exploring

Ohio Annulment guide — Statewide overview of annulment in Ohio.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron 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.

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