OHIO STATE COURTS
GENERAL CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET
[// GUIDANCE: Use this template when commencing a civil action in any Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Municipal Court, or County Court that requires a civil cover sheet. Confirm county-specific formatting, codes, and fees before filing.]
I. DOCUMENT HEADER
Court: [COURT OF COMMON PLEAS / MUNICIPAL COURT / COUNTY COURT] – [COUNTY] COUNTY, OHIO
Division (if any): [GENERAL / CIVIL / OTHER]
Case No.: _____ (Clerk’s Office to assign)
Judge: _______ (Clerk’s Office to assign)
II. CAPTION & PARTY IDENTIFICATION
Plaintiff(s):
1. _____
Address: ____
Phone: ______
E-Mail: _________
[Add additional Plaintiffs as needed]
Defendant(s):
1. _____
Address: ____
Phone: ______
E-Mail: _________
[Add additional Defendants as needed]
III. ATTORNEY OF RECORD
Lead Counsel for Plaintiff ☐ / Defendant ☐
• Name: _____ (Ohio Bar No. __)
• Firm: _____
• Address: ____
• Phone: ______
• E-Mail (mandatory for e-filing courts): _________
[// GUIDANCE: Each attorney who enters an appearance must supply Supreme Court of Ohio registration number and contact information consistent with local rule.]
IV. CASE CATEGORY SELECTION
Check ONE primary category that best describes this case. Secondary issues may be indicated in Section V.
TORT
☐ Personal Injury
☐ Product Liability
☐ Medical/Professional Malpractice
☐ Wrongful Death
☐ Intentional Tort
☐ Property Damage (Non-Auto)
☐ Automobile Accident
CONTRACT
☐ Consumer/Business Contract
☐ Employment Contract
☐ Insurance Coverage/Bad Faith
☐ Real Estate Contract
☐ Other Contract (specify): ________
OTHER CIVIL
☐ Foreclosure – Residential
☐ Foreclosure – Commercial
☐ Administrative Appeal (R.C. Chapter 2506, Unemployment Comp., BTA, etc.)
☐ Quiet Title / Partition
☐ Declaratory Judgment / Injunction
☐ Trust / Probate-Related Civil Action
☐ Class Action
☐ Civil RICO
☐ Foreign Judgment Domestication
☐ Other Civil (describe): _________
[// GUIDANCE: These categories track the statewide statistical reporting codes used by the Supreme Court of Ohio. County forms sometimes collapse or expand these options; mirror local nomenclature where it differs.]
V. RELATED CASES, PRIOR FILINGS & COMPANION MATTERS
-
Has this matter, or a substantially similar matter, been previously filed in an Ohio state or federal court?
☐ No ☐ Yes – Case No.: __ Court: __ -
Are there companion, derivative, or consolidated cases pending?
☐ No ☐ Yes (list): _________ -
Is this filing a refiled or amended complaint?
☐ Original Filing ☐ Refile (prior Case No.: __)
VI. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL / BENCH TRIAL
☐ Jury Demand Endorsed Hereon pursuant to Ohio Civ.R. 38(B) – Fee Paid (if applicable)
☐ Bench Trial Requested
☐ Jury Previously Demanded by Another Party (date: ____)
VII. SERVICE INFORMATION
-
Primary Method Requested:
☐ Certified Mail ☐ Personal / Residence Service ☐ Publication ☐ Waiver of Service (Civ.R. 4.7) -
For each Defendant, provide full address or, where unknown, the facts supporting alternative service in an accompanying affidavit.
[// GUIDANCE: Many clerks will reject the filing if addresses are omitted or incomplete.]
VIII. FILING FEES & COST DEPOSIT CALCULATION
Statutory Filing Fee (Complaint / Petition): $ [AMOUNT]
Additional Parties (> 1 Defendant): $ [AMOUNT] × [NUMBER] = $ [AMOUNT]
Jury Demand Fee (if requested): $ [AMOUNT]
Special Proceedings Surcharge (e.g., Foreclosure, Administrative Appeal): $ [AMOUNT]
TOTAL COST DEPOSIT SUBMITTED: $ [AMOUNT]
[// GUIDANCE: Insert county-specific amounts. Fees vary significantly; confirm with the clerk or latest Schedule of Costs before filing. Many courts require separate checks payable to the “Clerk of Courts” and the “County Treasurer” for computerization or legal research funds.]
IX. CERTIFICATION
I certify that to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances:
- This filing is not being presented for any improper purpose;
- The claims, defenses, and other legal contentions are warranted by existing law;
- The factual contentions have evidentiary support; and
- All information provided on this Cover Sheet is accurate and complete.
Date: ____
Signature: _____
Name: ____
Ohio Bar No.: __
Counsel for ☐ Plaintiff ☐ Defendant
X. CLERK’S OFFICE USE ONLY
• Date Filed: ____
• Receipt No.: ___
• Amount Paid: $ ___
• Case Code Entered: __
• Initials: _____
OPTIONAL ATTACHMENTS
A. Additional Party Schedule (if more than four parties)
B. Continuation Page for Case Description / Prayer for Relief
C. Affidavit for Alternative Service
D. Request for Confidential Address under Safe at Home Program
[// GUIDANCE: Attach only what your local rules require. Excess documentation may be rejected or scanned at your expense.]
PRACTICAL CHECKLIST (Do Not File)
☐ Verify correct court and division
☐ Confirm venue and jurisdiction are proper
☐ Attach complaint or other initiating pleading
☐ Include summons forms for each named defendant
☐ Provide self-addressed stamped envelopes where required
☐ Confirm e-filing vs. paper filing protocol
☐ Cross-check party names for consistency across all documents
☐ Retain proof of cost deposit and timestamped copy for your records
[// GUIDANCE: This template is intended for general use across Ohio courts. Always consult the local rules of the specific county, any standing orders of the assigned judge, and the Supreme Court of Ohio Rules of Superintendence. Modify category labels, numbering conventions, and margins to match any county-mandated form styles. Failure to comply with local formatting may result in rejection or delay of the filing.]