CIVIL DIVISION
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Legal Practice in the Norwalk Municipal Court is restricted by law to Attorneys who are licensed by the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Court employees including the Judge are prohibited by statue from giving legal advice which includes selection and preparation of documents.
INTEREST RATES ON JUDGMENT
EFFECTIVE 01-01-2026 please be advised that the Ohio Tax Commissioner has determined that pursuant to R.C. 5703.47, the interest rate for the calendar year 2026 is seven percent (7%).
The Court also has jurisdiction in civil cases where the amount claimed does not exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), exclusive of interest and costs. The small claims division has a monetary limit not to exceed Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00), exclusive of interest and costs.
To have appropriate jurisdiction you must be able to answer yes to ONE of the following statements:
- A defendant resides in Huron County, but not Lyme or Sherman Townships.
- A defendant has his principal place of business is Huron County, but not Lyme or Sherman Townships.
- The activity which gives rise to the claim occurred in Huron County, but not Lyme or Sherman Townships.
- The property, which is the subject of this action, is in Huron County, but not Lyme or Sherman Townships.
Effective January 2nd, 2026, the civil filing fees shall be as follows:
| Agreed/Consent Judgement Entry | No Charge |
| Personal Service (Bailiff/Sheriff) (Plus Mileage) | $30.00 |
| Amended Civil Complaint | $149.00 |
| Service on each Additional Defendant | $20.00 |
| Answer | No Charge |
| BMV: ALS Appeal, 12 Point Appeal, FRA Suspension | $100.00 |
| Brief in Opposition | No Charge |
| Capias | $50.00 |
| Certificate of Judgment for Lien | $25.00 |
| (include self addresses-envelope) | |
| Certificate of Satisfaction (Defendant) | $10.00 |
| Certificate of Judgment for Transfer | $20.00 |
| (include self addresses-envelope) | |
| Certified Mail Fee | $20.00 |
| Ordinary Mail Fee (Certificate of Mailing) | $10.00 |
| Certified Copies | $5.00 |
| Regular Copies | $0.10 |
| Exemplified Copies | $10.00 |
| Change of Venue (Transfer Out of NMC) | $60.00 |
| Change of Venue (Transfer Into NMC) | $175.00 |
| Cognovit Note One Defendant | $110.00 |
| Each Additional Defendant | $20.00 |
| Common Pleas Transfer | $25.00 |
| Civil Complaint (Money Only) | $175.00 |
| Each Additional Defendant | $20.00 |
| Thumb Drive Recording of Court Proceedings | No Charge |
| New in Package Thumb Drive | |
| Counter-Claim | $164.00 |
| Each Additional Defendant | $20.00 |
| Credit Card Usage Fee | 3%-4% |
| Cross-Claim | $164.00 |
| Each Additional Defendant | $20.00 |
| Debtor's Exam Civil | $50.00 |
| Complaint for Forcible Entry & Detainer | $225.00 |
| Each Additional Defendant | $20.00 |
| Additional Fees for Two Attempts at Service | |
| Failure of Service Fee | $10.00 |
| Jury Demand (Due Upon Filing) | $50.00 |
| Jury Deposit | $360.00 |
| Juror Fee, per day, per juror | $15.00 |
| Motion to Revive Dormant Judgment | $100.00 |
| Each Additional Defendant | $20.00 |
| Court of Appeals | $225.00 |
| ($150.00 Court of Appeals & $75.00 to Court) | |
| Replevin | $150.00 |
| Responsive Pleading | No Charge |
| Returned Checks Fee | $90.00 |
| Satisfy the Docket (Plaintiff) | $25.00 |
| Service By Publication (Publication Fee Separate) | $155.00 |
| Praecipe for Subpoena | $10.00 |
| (Must be accompanied by fees for one day's attendance plus mileage) | |
| (Each Witness - $12.00 plus mileage) | |
| Transfer from Small Claims to Civil Docket | $25.00 |
| Trusteeship | $100.00 |
| Writ of Restitution | $100.00 |
| ($60.00 Deposit $40.00 LC) | |
| (You Supply Own Movers) |
Small Claims Costs
| Small Claims Complaint | $125.00 |
| Each Additional Defendant | $20.00 |
| Debtor's Exam Small Claims | $75.00 |
| Amended Small Claims Complaint | $99.00 |
| Failure of Service Fee | $10.00 |
| Additional Service (Certified) | $20.00 |
| Additional Service (Certificate of Mailing) | $10.00 |
| Personal Service (Bailiff/Sheriff)(Plus Mileage) | $30.00 |
Garnishment Costs
| Bank Attachment (+$1.00 payable to Bank) | $135.00 |
| Garnishment Personal Earnings | $135.00 |
| Release of Bank Attachment of Garnishment | $25.00 |
Small Claims Filing Information for Plaintiff
Please be advised that the defendant must live in, have his/her place of business in, or the incident occurred in the Court’s jurisdiction (all of Huron County except Lyme or Sherman Townships). The fee for a Small Claims Complaint is $64.00 with one defendant, $6.00 for each additional defendant in the same action. Make your check/money order payable to Norwalk Municipal Court. The Court does not accept Credit/Debit Card for payment in the Civil Department.
We need a complete mailing address for all parties, including zip code. Your telephone number is required. The defendant’s telephone number would be helpful.
The number of required copies is as follows: (1) an original signed copy; (2) one copy for each defendant; and (3) one copy to return to you, the plaintiff. If you will be mailing your completed complaint, you must include the required copies. it will also be necessary for you to have your signature notarized.
If you are bringing the complaint into the court for filing, you may wait until you present your filing and the court can make copies for you for $.10 a page. Also, you may wait to sign the complaint and a deputy clerk will witness your signature for $1.00.
It is not necessary to attach exhibits since their presentation is required only at the time of the hearing. However, if you refer to an “exhibit(s)” in your statement of claim, you must attach a copy of the exhibit(s) to each copy of the complaint.
OHIO LAW NOW REQUIRES THAT YOU REMOVE ALL SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND/OR ALL ACCOUNT NUMBERS (BANK, CREDIT CARD, ETC.) FROM ALL DOCUMENTS YOU FILE WITH THE COURT.
You may be awarded interest from the date of the incident. If you do not know that date, you may have interest awarded from the date of judgment at a maximum of 8% per annum.