The Clerk of Courts' Common Pleas Division handles documents or filings for five (5) separate areas: Civil Division, Court of Appeals, Criminal Division, Domestic Relations, Juvenile Criminal & Juvenile Traffic.

The Legal Division originates all new Civil, Court of Appeals, and Domestic Relation's actions and accepts filings and deposits for each of these divisions.

The responsibilities of the Criminal Division include but are not limited to the processing all felony cases bound over to the grand jury and all grand jury indictments, preparing for and overseeing arraignments, and docketing and filing of all motions, entries, warrants, summons, and subpoenas.

Legal Division Information

The Civil Division of the Stark County Clerk of Courts is located on the first floor of the Stark County Courthouse, 115 Central Plaza North, Suite 101, Canton, OH 44702. (330-451-7795)

Civil fax filings can be faxed to (330) 451-7853  (See Local Rule 9.09 Facsimile Filing for guidelines)

The Civil Division receives all paperwork relating to personal injury, foreclosures, and business disputes. This division also records Ohio sales and income tax judgments for public record; and issue Certificates of Judgment and subpoenas.

The filing desk for the Court of Appeals Division of the Stark County Clerk of Courts is located on the sixth floor of the Stark County Office Building, 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton, OH 44702. (330) 451-7792

The Appellate Division of the Clerk of Courts Office receives all filings and manages all paperwork relating to cases, which have been appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals. This includes any appeals from the common pleas court, juvenile court, probate court, and the municipal courts located in Stark County. In addition to Stark County, the Fifth District Court of Appeals presides over appeals filed in the following other 14 counties in Ohio: Ashland, Richland, Morrow, Delaware, Knox, Licking, Fairfield, Perry, Morgan, Muskingum, Coshocton, Holmes, Guernsey, and Tuscarawas.

Local Appellate Court Rules are available on the Fifth District Court of Appeals web site.

The Criminal Division of the Stark County Clerk of Courts is located on the first floor of the Stark County Courthouse, 115 Central Plaza North, Suite 101, Canton, OH 44702. (330) 451-7929

Criminal fax filings can be faxed to (330) 451-7066 (See Local Rule 9.09 Facsimile Filing for guidelines)

The Criminal Division processes all felony cases bound over to the grand jury and all grand jury indictments. This division prepares for and schedules criminal arraignments; dockets and files all motions, entries, warrants, summons relating to criminal cases; and issues checks for witness fees. The Criminal Division also processes driver license suspensions sent to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

In addition, this division creates and processes all warrants and issues subpoenas for criminal cases.

The Domestic Relations Division of the Stark County Clerk of Courts is located on the sixth floor of the Stark County Office Building, 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton, OH 44702. (330) 451-7792

The Domestic Relation's division is where marital and other non-criminal domestic disputes are handled. This division engages in the same activities as the Civil Division, except that it is responsible for filing and maintaining records pertaining to divorces, dissolutions, legal separations, annulments and domestic violence (civil protection orders).

The Juvenile Criminal and Juvenile Traffic Division of the Stark County Clerk of Courts is located on the sixth floor of the Stark County Office Building, 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330)451-7832 or (330)451-7757

This division is responsible for filing and maintaining records pertaining to criminal, unruly, and traffic citations filed against juvenile offenders.

For a list of BMV approved schools located in Stark County that offer the 6 hour Juvenile Remedial Classes, click here:https://services.dps.ohio.gov/DETS/public/schools

This is a listing of minimum deposits and fees required. The total costs involved with each case varies from case to case. Please contact our office at 330.451.7801 or use the contact form to obtain the total costs associated with your case.  Checks are made payable to:  Stark County Clerk of Courts.

Civil Actions

Action Amount Requirements
Foreclosures $793.00 Original and one copy plus one copy for each party to be served for each type of service requested. Civil Case Designation Form - Original and one copy. First four (4) defendants included with initial deposit; $50.00 for each additional group of five (5) defendants.
Complaints $323.00 Original and one copy plus one copy for each party to be served for each type of service requested. Civil Case Designation Form - Original and one copy. First four (4) defendants included with initial deposit; $50.00 for each additional group of five (5) defendants.
(Additional $50 deposit is required for every 5 defendants named in the complaint after 4. Additional fee of $100.00 to be paid with the deposit required for the re-filing of a previously filed civil complaint. For failure to report on the designation form that the case is the re-filing of a previously filed Civil Complaint, the fee will be $200.)
Orders of Sale (Includes Alias Orders of sale) $ 738.00 Alias Praecipe for Order of Sale - Original and one copy, plus a legal description with red stamped approval obtained from the Stark County Auditor's office. Praecipe for Order of Sale - Original and one copy, plus a legal description with red stamped approval obtained from the Stark County Auditor's office. Order of Possession - Original and three (3) copies.
Counter Claims, Cross Claims, Third-Party Complaints, and Intervening Complaints $ 93.00 Original and one copy plus one copy for each party to be served for each type of service requested.
Cognovit Notes $ 223.00  
Debtor's Exam $ 75.00 Order in Aid of Execution (Debtor's Exam) Existing Case Praecipe - Original and one copy. Motion & Affidavit - Original and two (2) copies. Order - Original & three (3) copies. Instructions for service - Original.
Garnishment $ 50.00 Garnishment Existing Case Garnishment (Bank Attachment) Affidavit, Order, Notice and Answer of Garnishee - Original and four (4) copies. DEBTOR'S ADDRESS MUST APPEAR IN THE CAPTION. Notice to Debtor and Request for Hearing - Original and two (2) copies. MUST HAVE TWO COPIES FOR EACH DEFENDANT. Garnishment (Employer) Affidavit, Order, Notice and Answer of Garnishee - Original and four (4) copies. DEBTOR'S ADDRESS MUST APPEAR IN THE CAPTION. Notice to Debtor and Request for Hearing - Original and two (2) copies. Notice of Proceedings to collect debt (15 day demand letter) - Original or a copy. Interim Report - Original and one copy. Affidavit of Current Balance Due - Original and two (2) copies.
Execution on Judgment Lien $ 163.00 Execution on Judgment Lien Execution against Chattel Praecipe for Writ of Execution - Original and one copy Praecipe must show amount of judgment, interest and costs. Notice of Exemption - Original and two (2) copies (Notice of Exemption not required for a corporation). Judgment Entry - Two (2) copies Padlock Order (optional) - Original and two (2) copies Padlock Order must be signed by Judge.
Jury Demand $200.00  
Writ of Possession $ 150.00 Original and one copy
Writ of Partition $ 263.00  
Order of Sale in Partition $ 263.00  
Certificate of Judgment $ 30.00 Transferred from another Court within the State of Ohio - Original. File the original prepared Certificate of Judgment with seal on it. 
Certificate of Judgment - Prepared by Clerk $ 35.00 Praecipe for Certificate of Judgment from a Stark County Common Pleas case with a copy of the Judgment Entry.
Certificate of Judgment for Transfer (to be filed in another county) $ 5.00 Praecipe for Certificate of Judgment for transfer, with county being transferred to listed if possible, and a copy of the Judgment Entry.
Release of Judgment Lien / Partial Release of Judgment Lien $ 5.00 Original Release of Judgment Lien or Partial Release of Judgment Lien listing the JG case number only.
Release of Judgment Lien (Dept. of Taxation and Bureau of Worker's Comp) $ 35.00 Original release and satisfaction from State of Ohio Attorney General's Office.
Foreign Executions $ 163.00 Authenticated Copy of Judgment from out of state court - Original. Notice of Filing of Foreign Judgment; Affidavit of Attorney, (which includes plaintiff's name and full address and defendant's full name and Ohio address) - Original. If filing Certificate of Judgment Lien in Ohio: Original Motion and Order signed by one of the Stark County Common Pleas Court Judges. Praecipe for Lien - Original.
Foreign Sheriff $ 30.00  
Replevin $ 323.00  
Post-Conviction Relief $ 138.00  
Motion to Revive a Judgment $ 93.00  
Petition for Certificate of Qualification for Employment  $50.00  
Civil Stalking Protection Order Modification/Dismissal by Respondent $100.00  
Instructions for Service No Deposit Original only. MUST ATTACH A COPY OF THE PLEADING FOR EACH DEFENDANT TO BE SERVED. Deposit: No Deposit Required
Levying & Selling Deposit $750.00 In every execution issued to the Sheriff upon goods or chattels, where property is notexempted by law, the plaintiff or the attorney for the plaintiff shall procure and file with theClerk, a cash deposit to cover the cost and fees required by the Sheriff in levying upon andselling the goods and chattels.
Moving & Storage Deposit $200.00 All goods and chattels in retail or wholesale business operations, household goods, manufacturing plant or storage facility which must be moved and stored by a professional mover acting as an agent of the Sheriff after the Sheriff has seized such Goods and Chattels shall require an advance deposit. 

Criminal Actions

Criminal Appearance Bonds RRF Fee  $85.00 Felony charge
  $95.00 -  Felony charge with a Moving Violation
  $54.00 Misdemeanor charge 
Motion for Expungement (effective 09-13-22) $50.00  

Family Court Division

  Deposits Effective 3/17/2025  
Complaint for Divorces and Annulments (Up to 4 Defendants) $391 Original and one copy plus one copy for each party to be served for each type of service requested. Financial Affidavit - Original and copies for service. IF CHILDREN - Uniform Child Custody Affidavit and Child Support Worksheet is required - Original and copies for service.
(Additional $50 deposit is required for every 5 defendants named in the complaint after 4)
Legal Separations $359.00 Original and one copy plus one copy for each party to be served for each type of service requested. Financial Affidavit - Original and copies for service. IF CHILDREN - Uniform Child Custody Affidavit and Child Support Worksheet is required - Original and copies for service.
Dissolutions $371.00 Petition for Dissolution and Separation Agreement - Original and one copy. Financial Affidavit - Original for each party or one signed by both parties. IF CHILDREN - Uniform Child Custody Affidavit and Child Support Worksheet is required - Original.
Domestic Violence (Civil Protection Order) No Deposit Petition for Civil Protection Order, Affidavit, Uniform Child Custody Affidavit (if children), - Original and service copies. Ex Parte Temporary Protection Order - Original and two copies plus personal service copies. 10-A Form - Original and one copy. Deposit: No Deposit Required
Counter Claims and Cross Claims $251.00 Original and one copy plus service copies.
Reopening Closed Cases (Hearing Requested) $273.00 Original and one copy plus service copies.
Custody Register Petition $313.00 Original and one copy plus service copies.
Garnishment $50.00  
New Juvenile Complaint $307.00  

Fifth District Court of Appeals

Notice of Appeal $103.00 Notice of Appeal - Original and two (2) copies plus copies for all parties served. Docketing Statement - Original and one copy.
Original Actions $ 98.00 Original and one copy plus service copies.
Cross Appeals $ 68.00 Original and two copies plus copies for all parties.
Subpoena (Habeas Corpus) $ 10.00 Original and two copies if personal service; original and one copy if certified mail service.

Miscellaneous

Certification of Any Document $ 1.00  
Recording Notary Commission  N/A Notary Commissions are no longer accepted in our office as the statutory authority to record them with the Clerk of Courts no longer exists.
Certified Copy of Document - Per Page $1.00  
Copies - Per Page $ 0.10  
Authenticated Copy $ 1.00  
Faxed Copy Sent - First Page $ 2.00  
Additional Page $ 1.00  
Oath of Office $ 2.00  
Petition for Ohio Certificate of Title $ 55.00  
Faxed Filing Received (for Criminal or Civil Divisions)    
First Page $ 2.00  
For each additional page $ 0.25  
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Civil

Garnishments

Garnishment Order Forms

Criminal

Domestic Relations

Juvenile Criminal & Juvenile Traffic

Supreme Court Forms

Fifth District Court of Appeals

Fifth District Court of Appeals

AGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER
Adult Probation 330/451-7830
Adult Parole Authority 330/451-7836
Bankruptcy Court 330/489-4426
Birth & Death Certificates 330/489-3231
Estate Filings 330/451-7755
Juvenile Court Records 330/451-7412
Land & Property Records - the Recorder 330/451-7443
Marriage License Records - Probate Court 330/451-7759
Notary Application - Bar Association 330/453-0685
Public Defender 330/451-7200
Stark County Records Center 330/451-7372
Vendor's License 330/451-7355
Term Definition
Appeal A procedure wherein one of the parties seeks the reversal of a law or judgment made in a lower court. A higher court will issue a ruling on the appeal. Judge's orders, decisions and judgments made during the proceeding of the case may be appealed. Errors of fact (ex: a jury reaching a guilty verdict) are not able to be appealed.
Arraignment The initial appearance of a person charged with a felony in Common Pleas Court. It occurs after an indictment, and its purpose is to inform the defendant of the charges against him/her and to take his/her plea to the charge. Arraignments are heard before a duty judge or magistrate.
Bail Bond A bond posted with the court by a professional bail bondsman or individual, on behalf of the accused or a material witness. The bondsman or individual must forfeit a specified sum of money if the bonded party fails to appear in court when required.
Bind Over Felony charges sent to the grand jury for investigation after probable cause was found by a judge at a preliminary hearing on the municipal court level.
Capias A document issued to arrest and bring before the court a defendant who failed to appear for a hearing or who failed to comply with the pre-trial stipulations of a bond.
  • A detainer capias holds a defendant that is in custody with another authority.
  • A capias requires a judge's signature; a detainer capias does not.
Certified Copy A certified copy is a copy of a court document that is stamped and sworn to be true.
Deposition The sworn testimony of a party or witness in a case. Depositions are conducted out of the court setting, but pursuant to court authority.
Disposition A disposition is the outcome of a particular case. If someone requires a disposition, they usually want to know what the person was charged with, how they plead to the charge, if they were found guilty, and the fine and sentence imposed on them.
Drug Court Allows lower level drug driven felony offenses an intensive supervision and treatment program for one year. If the program is successfully completed, the charge will be dismissed. In Stark County, drug court is called the "Chance Program."
Expungement An order issued by the court that removes the record of a case.
Garnishment A legal proceeding to enforce payment of a money judgment. This usually involves wages or property held by a third party and paid to the court to satisfy a debt.
Indictment A written accusation signed by a Grand Jury, stating that a defendant has committed a felony. Included are the defendant's name, the Ohio Revised Code violations, counts and the charge class. Indictments are filed with the Clerk of Common Pleas Court.
Indigent An indigent is a person who cannot afford his/her own attorney and must have the court appoint one. The defendant signs an affidavit stating he/she does not have the funds to afford an attorney.
Judgment A judgment is a term used regarding civil cases. It is the decision and/or monetary amount awarded to a party in a civil suit.
Magistrate An attorney appointed by a judge whose jurisdiction is limited to conducting hearings or trials to the court.
Order A decision or directive signed by a judge, on any matter pertaining to a case, excluding the final judgment.
Subpoena A document that directs a witness to appear in court to testify as a witness for the prosecution or the defense.
Subpoena Duces Tecum This subpoena requests someone's attendance at a trial and also requests the witness bring some type of record or document with them to the trial or hearing.
Warrant A document used to serve a defendant with a copy of the indictment. A warrant authorizes the defendant to be arrested and brought before the court, to hear charges against them.