FAQ

Inquiries regarding marriage license matters should be directed to the Franklin County Probate Court. The Court does perform marriage ceremonies by appointment only and based on availability of staff. Learn more about wedding ceremonies.

The Court Reporters are the custodians of any exhibit submitted during a court proceeding and retain them until the conclusion of litigation. All parties are hereby notified that exhibits not retrieved will be destroyed sixty (60) days after litigation has concluded. Parties interested in retrieving their own exhibits after the conclusion of the case should contact the Court Reporter's Office to determine eligibility.

For information on paying any fees, contact the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court website or visit their frequently asked questions about accounting.

Please bring a valid form of identification, proof of insurance for traffic court, program or community service completion certificates, and funds to cover your fine and court costs. Upon arriving for court, all visitors are screened by security before being admitted to the building. Check in with the bailiff, prosecutor, or Court staff and let them know if you have an attorney. Cases are called in the order they are given to the judge or magistrate. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict how long you will be in court. At the conclusion of your hearing, you will be provided with further instruction about upcoming court dates or future requirements. For criminal/traffic cases, you can also sign up to receive text notifications about upcoming court dates by completing the Text Reminder Authorization Form(PDF, 795KB) and bringing it with you to the next court date.

No hats, shorts, or clothing with profanity or inappropriate messaging are allowed in the courtroom. Dress should be appropriate and business casual.

Constitutionally, you have the right to represent yourself in court, but you cannot represent someone else or a business unless you are an attorney. Self-represented litigants are held to the same standards as attorneys and will not be given legal advice. If you choose to hire an attorney, the Columbus Bar Association or Ohio Legal Help will recommend one to fit your needs.

For criminal and traffic cases, if you cannot afford to hire an attorney you may be eligible to be represented at no cost by a public defender or court appointed attorney. To see if you qualify, you may speak with a public defender during Arraignment Court at no cost. Be sure to tell Court staff upon check-in if you wish to speak to an attorney.

For civil cases, if you cannot afford to hire an attorney you may seek representation through the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, Capital University Law School Legal Clinic, or the Moritz College of Law Civil Legal Clinic.

A subpoena is an order that requires the recipient to either produce documents, attend court to give evidence, or both. Every subpoena is different and will include instructions for the recipient. There are a variety of penalties for ignoring or not complying with a subpoena. For criminal and traffic cases, provide the subpoena to the Prosecutor in the courtroom when you arrive. You may receive witness fees for mileage traveled. For civil cases, subpoenaed witnesses need to report to the assigned courtroom and check in with the party on the case that requested the subpoena.

Interpreters can be requested at the initial appearance or by visiting Interpreting Services. The case will be continued if an interpreter is required but not available.

There are many different outcomes(PDF, 258KB) that vary upon the facts of each case. Consult an attorney for legal advice.

Yes, all courtrooms are open to the public. The Franklin County Municipal Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases and hears civil actions involving less than $15,000. Cases that most often go to trial are OVI (operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or both) and domestic violence. The Court receives approximately 18,000 jury demands each year, resulting in 80-120 potential jury trials per day. However, the majority of those cases will be resolved through other means. Contact the Jury Commission for information about where you can find a trial.

If requested, fines may be exchanged for community service hours set by the judge. Court costs cannot be waived. If fines and costs are not paid, they will be referred to a collection agency.

Appear at your scheduled arraignment and enter a not guilty plea.

Some criminal and traffic charges have mandatory court appearances, indicated on the back of ticket or the bottom of the complaint. Failure to appear for a mandatory appearance will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest. If the appearance is not mandatory, the ticket or complaint is eligible to be paid prior to or on the hearing date. If no payment has been made and you do not appear, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

Hearing notices are sent by regular mail to the last known address provided to the Court. After the hearing is scheduled, you should receive the notice in the mail in 7-14 days. If you do not receive a notice, verify the address on file with the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court. All address changes need to be made in person or in writing to the Court by completing the Change of Contact Information Form(PDF, 37KB).

Mark the notice Return to Sender and send to the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court via the USPS. The Court can only mail notices to an address that is provided by the party. Only parties on the case can update an address listed with the Court.

If you are an attorney, fill out theAttorney Registration Form(PDF, 3MB), select Update Information and send to the Assignment Office. If you are on the Court Appointed Counsel List, please also send to the Court Appointed Counsel Coordinator.

If you are not an attorney, fill out theChange of Contact Information Form(PDF, 37KB)and send to the Assignment Office.

Case information, party addresses, and court dates can be found by performing a Case Records Search on the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court's website. Additional information can be obtained by calling (614) 645-7220.

Contact the Plaintiff's attorney or hire an attorney for legal advice.

Contact the Plaintiff on the case to make a payment arrangement. If you are unable to contact the Plaintiff, bring the full payment amount or proof of all completed payments to the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court, 375 S. High St. 3rd Floor, Columbus OH 43215, and request a hearing with the Duty Judge.

If all payments have been made in full, but the record does not reflect a zero balance, contact the Plaintiff or their attorney to request that a Satisfaction of Judgment or a Notice of Dismissal be filed to update the payment record.

File a Dismissal Notice(PDF, 10KB) with the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court.

If you have plead not guilty on your case your next court date will not be in the arraignment court. Your case will be assigned to one of 15 different judges. It is your responsibility to appear at your next court date. You can sign up for text reminders(PDF, 795KB) and/or to visit the Clerk of Court's website to check the date and location of your next hearing. If you demand a jury trial or court trial and do not waive your right to a speedy trial, your case will be set quickly, and you may not receive standard notice from the post office.

You can pay any applicable fines, post bond, obtain an attorney, or if your case is assigned to a judge, visit Court Services at 375 S. High St. 10th Fl., Columbus OH 43215 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM. If you have a warrant for missing a court date, you are subject to arrest. You may also appear before the assigned Judge who may decide to dismiss the warrant upon your appearance in the courtroom.

Bond information can be found online or by calling the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court at (614) 645-8186.

Expungement refers to the sealing of a criminal record so that it is not publicly available. Contact the Court's free Self Help Resource Center or call the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court Expungement Department at (614) 645-1706.

Provide your proof of insurance to the BMV and then pay online, mail a copy of your insurance card with your payment to the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court at 375 S. High St. 2nd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215, provide it to the cashier on the first or second floor of 375 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215, or bring a copy into court.

Maybe. Contact your attorney as soon as possible. If you do not have an attorney, you can request a new court date by visiting Court Services at 375 S. High St. 10th Fl., Columbus, OH, 43215 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM or, if you receive permission from the Prosecutor assigned to your case, you may mail or fax a Continuance Request(PDF, 154KB) to the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court at 375 S. High St, 2nd Fl., Columbus, Ohio, 43215. Faxes can be sent to (614) 645-6828.

Yes, you may ask for a due date or time payment plan at your court hearing. If you have already been sentenced, contact your attorney or visit Court Services at 375 S. High St., 10th Fl., Columbus OH, 43215 before your due date.

Warrants can be viewed online or by calling the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court at (614) 645-8186.

If you pay your ticket prior to the court date, the case will be closed and you do not have to appear for Court.

By paying your ticket before the court date you are legally pleading guilty and waiving your right to contest the ticket in court.

Yes, arraignment fees and court costs are costs incurred with processing the case and must be paid whether or not you attend court.

First contact the BMV to find out the type of suspension on your license and any reinstatement fees required. If you have a court suspension, visit Court Services at 375 S. High St. 10th Fl., Columbus OH, 43215. If you need to pay reinstatement fees or have a 12 point or non-compliance suspension, visit the 375 S. High St. 3rd Fl., Columbus, OH, 43215 to get a hearing date or a reinstatement fee plan, costs and forms can be found at the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk of Court website.

To request a waiver of points on your license, you must appear on your court date and speak to the courtroom prosecutor.

If your vehicle has been seized as a result of a citation you or your attorney can make an oral motion to have your vehicle released or relocated either during Arraignment or at a later court hearing.

If you vehicle has been towed or impounded and is not subject to a seizure or forfeiture by the Court, with proof of ownership, any licensed driver can retrieve a vehicle once all towing fees have been paid by contacting the towing company.