Filing for Divorce in Stark County

How do I file for divorce in Stark County, Ohio?

Use the Stark County Family Court's assembled Divorce packet (with or without children) and file it with the Clerk of Courts' Domestic Relations Division at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton, OH 44702. The deposit is $391. You must include signed, sworn, current financial statements, and — if you have minor children — a Uniform Child Custody (UCCJEA) Affidavit and a Child Support Worksheet (Rule 12.02). You or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for 6+ months and a Stark County resident for 90+ days. Any case with minor children requires a court-approved parent-education program (Rule 12.04). When the complaint is filed, the Clerk issues a mutual restraining order (Rule 12.07).

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

Divorce is the right path if…

• You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, money, property, debt, or support).
• Your spouse won't sign paperwork, won't communicate, or you can't safely reach an agreement.
• You need temporary orders now (support, exclusive use of the home, parenting time).
• You or your spouse have been an Ohio resident for 6+ months and a Stark County resident for 90+ days.

If you and your spouse already agree on every term in writing, a dissolution is usually faster and cheaper than a divorce. See Stark dissolution options.

Filing Fees

$391 deposit (add $50 per 5 defendants beyond the first 4) · No deposit for a DVCPO · Pay the Stark County Clerk of Courts

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Divorce in Stark County

1. Confirm Ohio residency and Stark County venue. Ohio 6+ months and Stark County 90+ days before filing for divorce.
2. Complete the assembled divorce packet. Use the Stark Divorce with/without Children packet and the required sworn financial statements (and UCCJEA affidavit + worksheet with children).
3. File with the Clerk's DR Division and pay the deposit. File at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton. The deposit is $391.
4. Complete the parent-education program with children. Any case with minor children requires the court-approved parent-education program before the final entry.

Stark County Practice Notes

• Parent-education program is required with children. Under Rule 12.04, parents filing a divorce involving minor children must complete a court-approved parent-education program. Noncompliance won't delay the final entry but can bring contempt, suspension of parenting time, dismissal, jail, fines, or costs.
• Mutual restraining order issues at filing. Under Rule 12.07, the Clerk issues the court's standard mutual restraining order when a divorce or legal-separation complaint, counterclaim, or answer is filed — restraining asset dissipation, debt creation, insurance changes, and moving the children's residence without consent.
• Financial statements are mandatory at filing. Under Rule 12.02, the Clerk will not accept a divorce filing without signed, sworn, current financial statements. With unemancipated children, a signed UCCJEA form and IV-D application are also required, and you must update the statements before hearings if information changes (Rule 12.03).

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.

How and where do I file my case in Stark County?

Family Court cases are filed with and maintained by the Stark County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk's Domestic Relations Division — which files divorces, dissolutions, legal separations, annulments, and civil protection orders — is in the Stark County Office Building at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690 (6th floor), Canton, (330) 451-7792. The main Clerk's office is at 115 Central Plaza North, Suite 101, (330) 451-7801. Attorneys must include their Ohio Supreme Court registration number on every filing (Rule 12).

Does Stark County issue a restraining order at filing?

Yes. Under Rule 12.07, when a divorce or legal-separation complaint, counterclaim, or answer is filed, the Clerk issues the court's standard mutual restraining order. It restrains threats, abuse, or interference; creating debt or dissipating assets; removing household goods; changing insurance or beneficiaries; and changing the children's residence without written consent or court permission. It binds both parties during the case.

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.

Other Family-Law Topics in Stark County

• Stark County Divorce — Full filing guide for contested divorce in the Stark County Family Court.
• Stark County Dissolution — Both-parties-agree route — faster and lower-conflict than a divorce.
• Stark County Custody — Married parents file inside divorce; never-married parents file a Juvenile complaint.

Related to your divorce case

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

Keep exploring

• Ohio Divorce guide — Statewide overview of divorce 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.