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.
Garnishment Instructions
- Download Forms from norwalkmunicourt.com
- Notice of Court Proceeding to Collect Debt
- Judgment Debtor is the Defendant - fill out the information in regards to the judgment that you are attempting to collect on.
- Plaintiff is the Judgment creditor
- Once you have filled out the form, make 2 copies - send the original and 1 copy of both forms to the Defendant by "Ordinary Mail" - the post office will give you a receipt of mailing that you will need to provide to the court with the additional copy of the forms. After 15 days, you can then file the Garnishment with the Court.
- Affidavit and Order and Notice of Garnishment of Personal Earnings & Answer of Employer
- Complete Affidavit Portion of form by filling out Caption Information. Garnishee is the Employer (correct mailing address is required). Judgment information, calculate the interest accumulated to date (if awarded) the list costs incurred to date (include the garnishment filing fee in this amount). You must have this form Notarized by a Notary Public. Complete the remaining information on the Section A. Court Order and Notice of Garnishment. (Garnishee is the Employer Name) and the Judgment information. Do not fill out anything on Section B. Answer of Employer (GARNISHEE)
- Make 4 copies - return all copies and the originals to the Court
- Final Report and Answer of Garnishee
- Fill out Caption information ONLY
- Make 2 copies
- Return original and copies to Court
- Interim Report and Answer of Garnishee
- Fill out Caption information ONLY
- Make 2 copies
- Return original and copies to Court
- Notice to the Judgment Debtor + Request for Hearing
- Fill out Caption and Judgment information
- Bottom of second form - Employers Name and Plaintiff's Name
- Make 2 copies, return originals and both copies to Court
- Notice of Court Proceeding to Collect Debt
- Bring Originals with $135 to the Court for filing (Cash, Check or Money Order)
- Form Affidavit of Current Balance Due on Garnishment Order Judgment Debtor(s) should be completed and sent to the Garnishee and Court once per year to update the balance. (Calculation of interest and monies paid is solely the responsibility of the Plaintiff).
- Form Release of Garnishee needs to be filed once judgment is paid in full.
- A letter of Satisfaction must be filed with the court within 30 days of Satisfaction of Judgment.
PROCESS GUIDE RE: DISPOSITION OF MOBILE HOMES AFTER EVICTION
NOTICE: Effective August 1, 2026, the Norwalk Municipal Court will require Plaintiff and/or Plaintiff’s counsel to perform the duties outlined in the Ohio Revised Code as they relate to the disposition of mobile homes after eviction. In accordance with said rules, the Court will not arrange and/or pay for an appraisal, place newspaper ads for the sale/auction, nor act as auctioneers for the sale/auction. Please refer to the following process guide.
To help clarify the legal steps for park operators under amendments to R.C. 1923 et seq, effective September 29, 2017, the following procedures relating to disposition of manufactured homes, mobile homes, and recreational vehicles1 from residential premises in manufactured home parks shall be followed by park operators and/or their counsel.
The Court’s role is to confirm Plaintiffs have complied with the steps outlined in the Ohio Revised Code and described below in that the essential role of the Court’s Bailiff relating to any sale is to coordinate, supervise, and ensure appropriate procedures are followed and not to arrange appraisal nor advertise and conduct the actual sale/auction.
Procedures
- Plaintiff obtains eviction judgment.
- Plaintiff pays $100.00 for Writ of Restitution / Setout (if necessary)
- In cases pertaining to mobile homes, plaintiffs will achieve removal of defendants from the premises in the normal course, i.e., through the red tag & setout process.
- Defendants’ personal property items inside the mobile home will be setout in the same way such items are setout in typical eviction setouts; plaintiffs will allow defendants to have access to premises to retrieve items, etc.
- Plaintiffs will change locks to mobile homes, but will allow defendants to remove the mobile home as provided by law.
- To dispose of the mobile home, if necessary, plaintiffs will go through the following steps to seek and enforce a Writ of Execution.
- In cases pertaining to mobile homes, plaintiffs will achieve removal of defendants from the premises in the normal course, i.e., through the red tag & setout process.
- Plaintiff waits 3 days from judgment for eviction for defendant to remove the mobile home
- If defendant abandons or leaves the mobile home unoccupied for three days, continue to #4.
-
Plaintiff gives defendant written Notice to Remove the mobile home within 14 days and Plaintiff shall search public records for any lienholders and MAKE REASONABLY DILIGENT INQUIRIES OF PUBLIC RECORDS TO IDENTIFY ANY PERSONS WHO HAVE AN OUSTANDING RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST IN THE HOME WHICH SHALL INCLUDE A SEARCH OF ANY RECORDS FILED IN PROBATE COURT AS WELL AS A SEARCH FOR DEFENDANT’S OBITUARY.
- Notice to Remove must conform to R.C. 1923.12(B)2.
- Plaintiff must send any lienholders a Notice to Remove within 21 days.
- If the mobile home remains after 14 days (or 21 days after Notice to any lienholder), continue to #5
- The 14 day period for defendants, and the 21 day period for lienholders, may be run concurrently.
- Plaintiff files request for Writ of Execution; presented to the Judge for signature
- Plaintiff pays $100.00 to Clerk for issuance of Writ of Execution
- Request must have proof of the following attached (5):
- Plaintiff has judgment for eviction
- Defendant abandoned the mobile home for three days
- Plaintiff gave defendant a Notice to Remove after the three days
- Plaintiff searched for lienholders, and provided any lienholders with Notice to Remove within 21 days, and
- Mobile home remains on the premises after 14 days from Notice to Remove (or 21 days from any lienholder Notice to Remove)
- Any lienholders, and their last known addresses, must be listed on the Writ of Execution, so Clerk knows who to send notice to, per Step #6
- Writ of Execution filed and docketed by Clerk
- Clerk must send notice, by regular mail to 1) any lienholders listed on the Writ of Execution, 2) the County Auditor, and 3) the County Treasurer, R.C. 1923.14(B)(1)
- Clerk notice must state: mobile home described in the Writ of Execution may be sold, destroyed, or have its title transferred under the circumstances described in R.C. 1923.14(B)(3) or (4), depending on its value.
- Writ of Execution sent to Bailiff.
- Clerk must send notice, by regular mail to 1) any lienholders listed on the Writ of Execution, 2) the County Auditor, and 3) the County Treasurer, R.C. 1923.14(B)(1)
- Plaintiff sends affidavit of value to County Auditor. The procedures stated in R.C. 1923.13 shall be complied with which states, in part, as follows:(1)
- If the county auditor agrees with the stated value on the affidavit, the county auditor is hereby commanded to sign the original affidavit attesting to the agreement of the value of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle and return the original affidavit to the park operator within fifteen days after receipt of the affidavit from the park operator.
- If the county auditor disagrees with the stated value on the affidavit, the county auditor is hereby commanded to notify the park operator of the disagreement within fifteen days after
receipt of the affidavit. The park operator is hereby authorized to submit additional materials in support of the stated value on the affidavit consistent with industry valuation
standards within ten days after receipt of the notice of the disagreement. If the park operator submits additional materials in support of the stated value on the affidavit, then after
reviewing the additional materials submitted, either of the following shall apply:
- If the county auditor agrees with the stated value on the affidavit, the county auditor is hereby commanded to sign the original affidavit attesting to the agreement of the value of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle and return the original affidavit to the park operator within ten days after receipt of the additional materials.
- If the county auditor continues to disagree with the stated value on the affidavit, the county auditor is hereby commanded to notify the park operator of the continued disagreement within ten days of receipt of the additional material and return the original affidavit to the park operator. The park operator is hereby authorized to appeal to this court for a ruling on the disagreement pursuant to court rule.
- Once County Auditor agrees with value, signs affidavit and sends back to Plaintiff, continue to #8.
- Value of mobile home is either $3,000 or less, or more than $3,000.
- $3,000 or less:
- Plaintiff will present Writ of Execution to Common Pleas Title Division to cause issuance of certificate to transfer title of mobile home to plaintiff, R.C. 1923.14(B)(4).
- Plaintiff notifies County Auditor for removal of any delinquent taxes.
- More than $3,000:
- Mobile home must be sold, R.C. 1923.14(B)(3)
- Continue to #9
- $3,000 or less:
- Public auction to be conducted by licensed auctioneer who is a resident of Ohio.
- Plaintiff must retain services of licensed auctioneer; expense to be assessed as costs; will be reimbursed out of the proceeds of any sale.
- Purchaser must pay in cash or certified funds (money order, cashier’s check, etc.).
- Three notices of date, time, place of sale must be timely sent
- Plaintiff must coordinate with the Court’s Bailiff to schedule the sale.
- Bailiff will be present at sale to supervise; ensure proper procedures are followed; and to receive any purchase money.
- Any purchase money received by the Bailiff shall be deposited with the Clerk of Court, along with filing a return for the sale, as soon as practicable.
- Notices will state information for two sales; second sale will only go forward if no bidders at the first sale.
- Bailiff will be present at sale to supervise; ensure proper procedures are followed; and to receive any purchase money.
- Plaintiff will issue the three notices:
- To any lienholders, the County Auditor, and the County Treasurer
- R.C. 1923.14(B)(3)
- To defendants, unless in default for failure to appear
- R.C. 2329.15(A)(1)(a)(i)
- Plaintiff must file copy of notice with Clerk at least three days prior to sale.
- To public, “by advertisement in a newspaper published in and of general circulation in the county,” R.C. 2329.15(A)(2)(a), which may be placed by licensed auctioneer as
described in #9.
- Notice will be published once at least two weeks prior to sale.
- To any lienholders, the County Auditor, and the County Treasurer
- Plaintiff must coordinate with the Court’s Bailiff to schedule the sale.
- Clerk is NOT required to send notice to defendant regarding right to exemptions hearing
- Per R.C. 1923.14(B)(3), defendants not entitled to exemption hearing, or stay of sale, under ORC provisions otherwise applicable to judicial sales.
- Sale of mobile home must be done by public auction, R.C. 2329.15
- The specific procedures for determining value of a mobile home (signature of Auditor on affidavit), as described in #7, control over the general requirement to obtain an appraisal. Mobile home does not need to be appraised before sale provided that the value has been determined pursuant to #7 herein. Appraisal is a general requirement for goods and chattel execution sales, R.C. 2329.15.
- Mobile home shall not be sold for less than two thirds the value stated in the affidavit signed by the County Auditor, per R.C. 2329.15.
- If no bidders at first sale:
- Bailiff files return reflecting ‘no bidders’.
- Proceed to Step #14 (sale on the second date, time, and place stated in Notices from Step #10)
- If no bidders at second sale:
- Bailiff files return reflecting ‘no bidders’.
- Plaintiff will present Writ of Execution to Common Pleas Title Division to cause issuance of certificate to transfer title of mobile home to plaintiff, R.C. 1923.14(B)(4).
- Proceedings terminate when Plaintiff accepts transfer of title.
- If mobile home sold to highest bidder (at first or second sale)
- Bailiff will receive the purchase money from highest bidder and will deposit the money with Clerk of Court as soon as practicable.
- Clerk shall hold the funds on deposit “until the court examines” the proceedings, R.C. 2329.32 (Step #16)
- Bailiff files return reflecting completion of sale with basic info (name of purchaser, purchase amount, sale date, etc.).
- Bailiff will receive the purchase money from highest bidder and will deposit the money with Clerk of Court as soon as practicable.
- Plaintiff files motion for Order Confirming Sale, R.C. 2329.13
- Motion should be supported with itemization of amounts for distribution (cost amounts, any tax lien amounts, etc.).
- Court reviews whether notices of the sale were given, as required by law; if so, the Judge signs and the Order Confirming Sale is filed:
- Order Confirming Sale directs Clerk’s office to distribute sale proceeds on deposit, as set forth in R.C. 1923.14(B)(3)(a)-(e).
- Towards any costs for removal/storage, costs of the sale, expenses for advertising the sale “paid by the park operator,” any unpaid court costs assessed to the defendant
- Towards any outstanding tax liens
- Towards any outstanding security interests, liens, or encumbrances “by priority of filing”
- Towards any money judgment in plaintiff’s favor against defendant (unpaid rent, etc.) and any costs associated with keeping MH at the park, pending the sale
- Any remaining funds shall be reported as unclaimed funds pursuant to R.C. 169
- Order Confirming Sale may be presented to Common Pleas Title Division to cause issuance of certificate of title transfer to purchaser
- Order Confirming Sale directs Clerk’s office to distribute sale proceeds on deposit, as set forth in R.C. 1923.14(B)(3)(a)-(e).