Ohio Divorce Cost, Filing Fees & Process
Researched by the LawLintel Data Team · Sources verified 2026-08-24
- Filing fee (deposit)
- $200–$400county-set — Franklin County: $275
- Waiting period
- None for divorcedissolution hearing set 30–90 days after joint filing
- Residency requirement
- 6 months in Ohio
- Where to file
- Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations
Ohio clerks collect divorce filing fees as a cost deposit that varies by county — typically $200–$400; Franklin County (Columbus) charges $275 whether or not children are involved. The plaintiff must have lived in Ohio for six months before filing.
Ohio offers two distinct paths. A divorce is the adversarial route, with no statutory post-filing waiting period. A dissolution is Ohio's true agreed route: both spouses file a joint petition with a complete separation agreement, and the court sets the final hearing not less than 30 nor more than 90 days later — making dissolution the fastest and cheapest way to end a marriage by agreement in Ohio.
Costs & fees
| Item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce filing depositFranklin County: $275 | $200–$400 (by county) | Official fee |
| Dissolution filing depositcheck your county clerk | usually slightly less than divorce | Official fee |
| Servicecertified mail service is common and cheap | $0–$75 | Estimate |
| Parenting class (with children) | $25–$60 | Estimate |
| Contested — attorney representation | $4,000–$20,000+ | Estimate |
Deposits are set by each county clerk of courts; unused amounts may be refunded and shortfalls billed. Estimates are market figures.
Requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Residency | Plaintiff must be an Ohio resident 6 months before filing (ORC 3105.03); venue usually requires 90 days in the county |
| Grounds | Fault grounds plus incompatibility (if not denied) and 1-year separate living |
| Dissolution timeline | Hearing 30–90 days after joint petition (ORC 3105.64) |
| Fee waiver | Poverty affidavit (affidavit of indigency) |
The process, step by step
- Choose divorce or dissolution. Full agreement on everything? File a joint petition for dissolution with a separation agreement. Otherwise file a complaint for divorce.
- File with the clerk. Use the Supreme Court of Ohio's Uniform Domestic Relations Forms; pay the county deposit or file a poverty affidavit.
- Service (divorce only). The clerk serves the defendant, commonly by certified mail.
- Temporary orders & discovery (contested). Either party may seek temporary support/custody orders while the case proceeds.
- Final hearing. Dissolution: both spouses appear 30–90 days after filing and the decree issues. Divorce: uncontested cases reach hearing in a few months; contested cases longer.
Forms & where to file
Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas in your county (file with the Clerk of Courts).
- Uniform Domestic Relations Forms (Supreme Court of Ohio) — Form 6: Complaint for Divorce
- Ohio Legal Help — divorce & dissolution guides
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Ohio?
Counties collect a cost deposit of roughly $200–$400 — Franklin County charges $275. Filers who can't afford it can file a poverty affidavit, though costs may still be assessed at the end of the case.
What's the difference between divorce and dissolution in Ohio?
Dissolution is a joint, fully-agreed filing — no service, no adversarial process, final hearing within 30–90 days. Divorce is the contested route with grounds, service and potentially trial.
Is there a waiting period for an Ohio divorce?
No statutory cooling-off period for divorce. For dissolution, the statute requires the hearing to be at least 30 days after filing — effectively a built-in month.
How long must I live in Ohio before filing?
Six months (ORC 3105.03), and typically 90 days in the county for venue.
Related information
Sources & verification
- Franklin County Clerk of Courts — Domestic Relations fee schedule
- Ohio Revised Code § 3105.64 (dissolution hearing window)
- Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03 (residency)
Official fees and statutory rules above are traceable to the listed authorities; figures marked as estimates are LawLintel editorial estimates, not government fees. Laws and fees change — last verified 2026-08-24. See our methodology and legal disclaimer.
LawLintel provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws, rules, procedures and fees change and can depend on your specific facts and county. Verify important information with the applicable court or a qualified attorney before acting.