Legal Office

Wood County Local Court Rules

Costs & Security for Cost per Local Rule 3.04

Deposits are required for most civil and domestic relations matters unless a poverty affidavit is accepted by the Court.

The filing of the poverty affidavit and or a Motion to Proceed in Forma Pauperis will only allow the filer from not paying the deposit upfront; the filer may still be responsible for paying the court costs at the end of the case depending on whom the court orders to pay the final costs.

All fees are assessed per the Ohio Revised Code 2303.20 along with a few other sections.

The Local Court Rules indicate that “If at any time the deposit for costs becomes insufficient in any case, the Clerk shall require the appropriate parties an additional deposit in an amount sufficient to secure the reasonably anticipated additional costs”

List of Deposits as Required by Local Court Rule 3.04

Financial

The Bookkeeping departments primary responsibility is accounting for all funds that pass through the Wood County Clerk of Courts office for both the Legal and the Title Offices.

Staff at the Auto Title Office, collects funds from customers purchasing titles for their vehicles. These funds are for title fees and sales tax as required by the O.R.C. Each deputy clerk is responsible for verifying their drawers at the end of the day. A daily report is then sent to the Bookkeepers each day for the prior day’s business and verified with the bank report.

Case management deputy clerks in the Legal Office process filings and add deposits and/or costs to each case as required by the Ohio Revised Code 2303.20. At the end of the case action the bookkeepers total the costs, determine whom is to be billed per the court order and/or the Local Court Rules. If payment is not received within the required time period, the bookkeeping department will proceed with collections. Collections may include filing a judgment lien against the person and sending the account to the Ohio Attorney General’s office, if the account is not paid timely.

The Wood County Common Pleas Courts may court order fines, restitution, appropriations, excess sale proceeds from sheriff sales and bonds to be collected and deposited with the Clerk of Courts Legal office.

Throughout the day the bookkeepers receipts payments made by parties. The office accepts payments in person, through the mail by check or money order or by credit card via online access, phone or in the office.

If the amounts owed are not received timely, the case may be turned over to the State of Ohio, Attorney General’s Office for Collections which could result in the person’s State Income Tax refunds and/or Lottery Winnings being retained for the costs owed to Wood County.

End of the month, all money is verified with the appropriate bank statements and all required funds are submitted to various entities within Wood County and State of Ohio. At the “End of Year” is where we wrap up and complete a variety of reports for the County and the State of Ohio.

Each year the State Auditor or their designee reviews the Clerk of Courts financial records. All financial records are to be retained for three years or until audited.
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The department is also in charge of processing all purchase orders, invoices and payment of bills, for items and/or services that the Clerk of Courts office, both the Legal and Title Offices, requires to operate as an office. These items include everyday office supplies, software purchases, travel expenses, publication costs, postage, rent, furniture, contract services and equipment needs to name a few.

The Clerk of Courts offices operates as independent separate businesses in that we have to acquire equipment and necessary supplies all within the allotted yearly appropriations per the counties budgeting processes. The Legal Office operates from the County General Fund and the Auto Title Office operates out of its own Automated Titling Processing Fund (ATPS)
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The bookkeeping department is also responsible for monitoring and maintaining all HR and Payroll matters. This includes overseeing all personnel leave (sick and vacation) time according to the Ohio Revised Code, processing bi-weekly payroll and submitting to the County Auditor, maintaining all health, vision, dental & Life insurance along with reporting all FMLA & Safety incidents to the Wood County Commissioners, etc.

• Wood County Local Court Rules
• Request for Foreclosure Costs Form
• W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification Form
• Updated Unclaimed Fund Report
• Public Records Request Form

Criminal Division of the Clerk of Courts

The clerk is the Record Keeper for the Court of Common Pleas and is responsible for processing all motions, pleadings, and, judgment entries, etc.; along with maintaining the docket and retaining all of the documents that are filed in the Clerk’s office according to the Ohio Revised Code, Rules of Superintendence and the Clerk of Courts Retention Schedule.

The case type that this division processes are felony criminal actions that originates from a bind over from a lower court or a direct indictment from the Wood County Common Pleas Grand Jury.

The Clerk is also responsible for issuing all writs upon direction from the party/attorney of record, the Court and the Ohio Civil Rules, which can include: summons, warrants for arrest, Notice to Serve (provides direction to the Sheriff on whom to serve and where), Execution for Fine & Costs, along with a few others.

The Clerk supplies multiple reports throughout the month including BCI information, Board of Elections –removal of voting rights, Social Security Eligibility reports, etc.  The Clerk’s office also responds to numerous criminal record checks from entities such as employers, rental (housing) agencies, financial institutions and other courts that have an interest in the individual that was charged in our court.

Parties most generally will obtain legal representation or request that the Court appoint an attorney for them.   In most situations a person may represent themselves but all parties/attorneys of record must follow the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Criminal Rules, Ohio Civil Rules and the Local Court Rules.

Please note that Wood County Clerk of Courts deputies are not attorneys nor can they practice law.   Clerk of Courts staff are able to assist you with responses to your procedural questions.

The court may indicate that a defendant is required to spend time at the Wood County Justice Center.  The Court may provide the Defendant with an option to post a bond “Own Recognizance”, “Cash/Surety” or a “Property” in order to avoid the time in jail.  The Clerk is responsible for following the Court’s Order to process the bonds and obtain all of the necessary signatures and documentation.

Court costs are assessed at the end of the case action per the court order and follow Ohio Revised Code 2303.20 for assessing throughout the case.  Restitution and or fines may be assessed by the Court at the time of the final disposition hearing.  Payment of courts costs, fines and restitution follow the hierarchy listed in local court rule 3.04 F.

Personal identification information must be carefully maintained according to the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Rules of Superintendence.   However, it is the filer’s responsibility for redacting pertinent information out of the documents prior to submitting to the Clerk’s Office for filing per Ohio Rule of Superintendence 45 D.    The Clerk’s Office does need to obtain personal identification information such as date of birth and social security numbers.   This information is protected and maintained within the Clerk’s case management system for the Court’s view only.

Each case type has a predefined retention period.  The Clerk is responsible for maintaining the records for the time period designated.  Most records are scanned as soon as they walk in the door and will be microfilmed at some point.   All public records are available from within the office or via the Clerk of Courts website, if you would like to retrieve them.

Ohio Public Defender Website

Wood County Local Court Rule

Forms:

1. Financial Disclosure Form
2. Public Records Request Form
3. Wood County Common Pleas Subpoena
4. Application for Sealing 2953.32 – (Conviction)
5. Application for Sealing 2953.33 – (Dismissal)

Civil Division of the Clerk of Courts

The clerk is the Record Keeper for the Court of Common Pleas and is responsible for processing all Motions, pleadings, and, judgment entries, etc.; along with maintaining the docket and retaining all of the documents that are filed in the Clerk’s office according to the Ohio Revised Code, Rules of Superintendence and the Clerk of Courts retention scheduled.

The various types of actions for the “Civil” area include:  Product Liability (Tort), Professional Tort (medical/legal malpractice), Other Tort (e.g. auto accidents, personal injuries, intentional act); Worker’s Compensation, Foreclosures, Administrative Appeal, Other Civil, Violation of Anti-Predatory Lending Law, Cert. of Qualification of Employment; as directed by the Ohio Supreme Court.

This division also processes post judgment matters such as garnishments, Debtor Exams, Executions, Foreign Judgments, judgment liens for judgements granted from Wood County Common Pleas Court and judgments granted from other courts, along with State Tax Liens filed by the Ohio Department of Taxation.  This office files Certificate of Judgments against persons that have been ordered to pay court costs and have failed to pay.  All releases on the above type of liens are filed in the filing case.

The Wood County Prosecuting Attorney files Land Foreclosure’s along with Mobile Home Foreclosures – both for the owner’s lack of paying property/trailer taxes.

The Clerk is responsible for issuing all Writs upon direction from the party/attorney of record, the Court and the Ohio Civil Rules,  including Summons, warrants for arrest, Notice to Serve (which gives direction to the Sheriff on whom to serve and at what address), Order of Sales, Order of Appraisement, Writ of Execution, along with a few others.

Parties may have legal representation or may represent themselves but in both situations all parties/attorneys of record must follow the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Civil Rules and the Local Rules.

Please note that Wood County Clerk of Courts deputies are not attorneys, nor can they practice law.   Clerk of Courts staff can provide you with responses to your procedure questions.

Most of the case actions do require a filing deposit, however the deposits may be waived if you are declared indigent by the Court.  Required deposits can be found Local Court Rule 3.04.  Court costs are addressed at the end of each case action per the court order or the Local Court Rule and follow Ohio Revised Code 2303.20 for assessing throughout the case.

Personal identification information must be carefully maintained according to the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Rules of Superintendence.   However, it is the filer’s responsibility for redacting pertinent information out of the documents prior to submitting them to the Clerk’s Office for filing per the Ohio Rule of Superintendence 45 (D)

Each case type has a predefined retention period.  The Clerk is responsible for maintaining the records for the time period designated.  Most of the records are scanned as soon as they walk in the door and will be microfilmed at some point.  All public records are available from within the office or via the Clerk of Courts public website if you would like to retrieve them.

• Wood County Local Court Rules
• Forms
  1. Case Designation Form
  2. Property Description Approval Form
  3. Court Costs Request Form
  4. Public Records Request Form
  5. Wood County Common Pleas Subpoena
  6. Praecipe for Certificate of Judgment
  7. Certificate of Qualification Information Sheet
  8. The Ohio Certificate of Qualification for Employment Online Petition Website
  9. Affidavit of Indigency R. C. 2323.311

6th District Court of Appeals

Clerk of Courts for the Sixth District Court of Appeals (for any Wood County Court decision)

The Wood County Clerk of Courts of Common Pleas Court also serves as the Clerk for the Sixth District Court of Appeals.

Any case that a final decision is being appealed from a Wood County Court decision that includes: General Division Court (Civil, Felony Criminal and Domestic Relations cases), Court of Common Pleas-Juvenile & Probate Court, along with the three Municipal Courts which are located within the boundaries of Wood County (Bowling Green, Perrysburg and Fostoria-Tiffin Municipal Courts) the Notice of Appeals are processed through this office.

The Clerk of the Sixth District Court of Appeals also is required to follow the Ohio Court of Appeals, Sixth District Court of Appeals Local Rules, and the Ohio Civil Rules

As the Record Keeper for the 6^th District Court of Appeals the Clerk is responsible for the same responsibilities: filing, maintaining the docket, issuing all writs, and retaining the documents for the required time.

The Court of Appeals Clerk forwards all documents received for these cases, to the Sixth District Court which is located in Toledo, OH. The judges will make their decisions and then will forward court orders back for filing.

Parties will most generally obtain their own legal representation or have one appointed by the court. A person may represent themselves but in both situations all parties/attorneys of record must follow the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Court of Appeals Rules and the Local Court Rules for the Sixth District Court of Appeals.

Please note that Wood County Clerk of Courts staff are not attorneys nor can they practice law. The Clerk of Courts staff can assist you with responses to your procedural questions.

Court costs are addressed at the end of the case action per the Court’s order and follow Ohio Revised Code 2303.20 for assessing throughout the case matter.

Each case type has a predefined retention period. The Clerk is responsible for maintaining the records for the time period designated. Each document is scanned as it walks in the door. All public records are available from within the office or via the Clerk of Courts website, if you would like to retrieve them.

Court of Appeals Fee Table

• Wood County Local Court Rules
• Ohio 6th District Court of Appeals
• Forms
  1. Public Records Request Form

Domestic Relations

Clerk of Courts for the Domestic Relations Court

The clerk is the Record Keeper for the Court of Common Pleas and is responsible for processing all Motions, pleadings, and, judgment entries, etc.; along with maintaining the docket and retaining all of the documents that are filed in the Clerk’s office according to the Ohio Revised Code, Rules of Superintendence and the Clerk of Courts Retention Schedule.

The cases for this area include:  Divorce, Dissolution of Marriage, Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders, Stalking Civil Protection Orders, Dating Violence Civil Protection Orders, Custody Support along with any and all post Judgment Actions including (Child) Support Modifications, Child Custody modifications, and Parenting actions.

The Clerk is also responsible for issuing all writs including summons, warrants for arrest, Notice to Serve (provides direction to the Sheriff on whom to serve and where).

Parties may obtain legal representation or may represent themselves but in both situations all parties/attorneys of record must follow the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Civil Rules and the Local Rules.   Please note that Wood County Clerk of Courts deputies are not attorneys nor can they practice law.   Clerk of Courts staff are able to assist you with responses to your procedural questions.

Many of the forms required for filing in this division are now offered by the Ohio Supreme Court and are available through their website along with the Clerk of Courts website.

Most of the case actions do require a filing deposit, however the deposits may be waived if you are declared indigent by the Court.  Required deposit can be found in Local Court Rule 3.04.  Court costs are addressed at the end of each case action per the court order or Local Court Rule and follow Ohio Revised Code 2303.20 for assessing throughout the case.

Personal identification information must be carefully maintained according to the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Rules of Superintendence.   It is the filer’s responsibility for redacting pertinent information out of the documents prior to submitting them for filing per Ohio Rules of Superintendence 45 D.    The Clerk’s office is required to request Date of Birth, Social Security numbers and Financial Account information on a separate document for the Courts.  This information is protected and maintained within the Clerk’s case management system for the Court’s view only

Each case type have a predefined retention period.  The Clerk is responsible for maintaining the records for that time period designated.  Most of the records are scanned as soon as they walk in the door and will be microfilmed at some point.  All public records are available from within the office or via the Clerk of Courts website, if you would like to retrieve them.

Wood County Local Court Rules
Wood County Child Support Agency
Ohio Legal Help
Wood County Domestic Relations Legal Clinic Flyer

** Disclaimer – To be fully informed and get answers to your questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney. **

Termination of Marriage with Children

• Forms – REQUIRED BY COURT:
  1. Case Designation Form
  2. Personal Identifier Form
  3. Complaint for Divorce – with Children
  4. Request for Service
  5. Schedule A or Affidavit 1 – Affidavit of Income and Expenses
  6. Schedule B or Affidavit 2 – Affidavit of Property
  7. Answer to Complaint for Divorce with Children
  8. Reply to Counterclaim for Divorce With Children
  9. Affidavit 3 – Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (R.C. 3127.23(A))
  10. Affidavit 4 – Health Insurance Affidavit
  11. Judgment Entry – Decree of Divorce with Children
  12. IV-D Application / Application for Child Support Services
• Forms –Additional Termination of Marriage with Children Forms:
  1. Financial Disclosure Form
  2. Counterclaim for Divorce With Children
  3. Judgment Entry Converting Interest in Real Estate
  4. Military Service Affidavit
  5. Parenting Judgment Entry
  6. Parenting Plan
  7. Shared Parenting Plan
  8. Waiver of Objections to Magistrate’s Decision
  9. Waiver of Service of Summons
  10. Wood County Common Pleas Subpoena

Termination of Marriage without Children

• Forms – REQUIRED BY COURT:
  1. Case Designation Form
  2. Personal Identifier Form
  3. Complaint for Divorce without Children
  4. Request for Service
  5. Schedule A or Affidavit 1 – Affidavit of Income and Expenses
  6. Schedule B or Affidavit 2 – Affidavit of Property
  7. Judgment Entry – Decree of Divorce without Children
• Forms – Additional Termination of Marriage without Children Forms:
  1. Financial Disclosure Form
  2. Answer to Complaint for Divorce Without Children
  3. Reply to Counterclaim for Divorce Without Children
  4. Counterclaim for Divorce Without Children
  5. Judgment Entry Converting Interest in Real Estate
  6. Military Service Affidavit
  7. Waiver of Service of Summons
  8. Waiver of Objections to Magistrate’s Decision
  9. Wood County Common Pleas Subpoena

Dissolution of Marriage with Children

• Forms – REQUIRED BY COURT:
  1. Case Designation Form
  2. Personal Identifier Form
  3. Petition and Waiver Form
  4. Waiver of Service of Summons
  5. Separation Agreement
  6. Schedule A or Affidavit 1 – Affidavit of Income and Expenses
  7. Schedule B or Affidavit 2 – Affidavit of Property
  8. Affidavit 3 – Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (R.C. 3127.23(A))
  9. Affidavit 4 – Health Insurance Affidavit
  10. Judgment Entry – Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (With / Without children)
  11. IV-D Application / Application for Child Support Services
• Forms – Additional Dissolution of Marriage with Children Forms:
  1. Financial Disclosure Form
  2. Judgment Entry Converting Interest in Real Estate
  3. Military Service Affidavit
  4. Parenting Judgment Entry
  5. Parenting Plan
  6. Shared Parenting Plan
  7. Waiver of Objections to Magistrate’s Decision
  8. Wood County Common Pleas Subpoena

Dissolution of Marriage without Children

• Forms – REQUIRED BY COURT:
  1. Case Designation Form
  2. Personal Identifier Form
  3. Petition and Waiver Form
  4. Waiver of Service of Summons
  5. Separation Agreement
  6. Schedule A or Affidavit 1 – Affidavit of Income and Expenses
  7. Schedule B or Affidavit 2 – Affidavit of Property
  8. Judgment Entry – Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (With / Without children)
• Forms – Additional Dissolution of Marriage without Children Forms:
  1. Financial Disclosure Form
  2. Judgment Entry Converting Interest in Real Estate
  3. Military Service Affidavit
  4. Waiver of Objections to Magistrate’s Decision
  5. Wood County Common Pleas Subpoena

Domestic Violence / Civil Stalking

Domestic Violence

• Forms – REQUIRED BY COURT:
  1. Domestic Violence Protection Order Packet
  2. Protection Order Personal Identifier Form
• Forms – Additional Domestic Violence Forms:
  1. 10.01-F: Information for Parenting Proceeding Affidavit
  2. 10.01-K: Motion to Modify / Terminate Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order or Consent Agreement
  3. 10.01-L: Judgment Entry on Motion to Modify / Terminate Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order or Consent Agreement
  4. 10.01-O: Motion for Contempt of a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order
  5. Request for Service
  6. Wood County Common Pleas Subpoena

Civil Stalking

• Forms – REQUIRED BY COURT:
  1. Civil Stalking Protection Order or Civil Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order Packet
  2. Protection Order Personal Identifier Form

• Forms – Additional Civil Stalking Forms:
  1. Request for Service
  2. Wood County Common Pleas Subpoena

Dating Violence

• Forms – REQUIRED BY COURT:
  1. Dating Violence Civil Protection Order Packet
  2. Protection Order Personal Identifier Form
• Forms – Additional Dating Violence Forms:
  • Request for Service
  • Wood County Common Pleas Subpoena

Post Domestic Relations Actions

• Forms – REQUIRED BY COURT:
  1. Case Designation Form
  2. Personal Identifier Form
  3. Request for Service
  4. Affidavit 1 – Affidavit of Income and Expenses or Schedule C
  5. Affidavit 3 – Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (R.C. 3127.23(A))
• Forms – Additional Post Domestic Relations Forms:
  • Financial Disclosure Form
  • Affidavit 4 – Health Insurance Affidavit
  • Affidavit 5 – Motion and Affidavit or Counter Affidavit for Temporary Orders Without Oral Hearing – Motion and Affidavit or Counter Affidavit for Temporary Orders without Oral Hearing
  • Allocation of Parental Rights (Custody)(Visitation)
  • Judgment Entry Converting Interest in Real Estate
  • Motion for Change of Parenting Time (Companionship and Visitation)
  • Motion for Change of Parental Rights and Responsibilities (Custody)
  • Motion for Change of Child Support, Medical Support, Tax Exemption, or other Child-Related Expenses
  • Motion for Contempt, Affidavit, and Instructions for Service
  • Motion to Show Cause Order And Notice
  • Explanation of Health Care Bills Worksheet
  • Grandparent Power of Attorney
  • Caretaker Authorization Affidavit
  • Wood County Common Pleas Subpoena
  • Public Records Request Form