Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, General Division Electronic Filing Rules

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

The e-File System must confirm receipt and include the receipt date and time as proof of receipt.

Upon receipt, the e-File System shall issue a confirmation that the submission has been received. The confirmation shall include the date and time of receipt and serve as proof of receipt.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Video

A video used in lieu of a transcript must be filed in digital format.

If an objecting party is using a video in lieu of a transcript, the video shall be filed in digital format.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

Attorneys must register with the e-File System.

All attorneys must register with the e-File System.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

For a document requiring multiple signatures, the filer must confirm all signers’ approval, indicate each signer’s agreement, and e-file the document while identifying the signatories through conformed signatures.

When a stipulation or other document requires two or more signatures, the filer shall: (i) confirm that the content of the document is acceptable to all persons required to sign the document; (ii) indicate the agreement of other counsel or parties at the appropriate place in the document, usually on the signature line; and (iii) e-File the document, indicating the signatories, e.g., /s/ Paralegal Jane Doe, /s/ John Smith, etc.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

Documents requiring an original signature must be e-filed as PDFs, retained by the filer for court production, and preserved until the case and applicable appeal and post-judgment periods are concluded.

Documents requiring an original signature, such as an affidavit or other notarized documents, shall be e-Filed as a .pdf. The filer shall maintain the signed document in the filer’s records and have it available for production upon request of the court. The signed document shall be maintained until the case is closed and the time for appeal has expired, or the appeal has been heard or denied and all opportunities for post-judgment relief are exhausted.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

During an unexpected e-file system outage, documents may be filed in paper format to meet jurisdictional deadlines.

In the event of an unexpected e-File System outage, documents may be filed in paper format to comply with jurisdictional deadlines.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Written deposition transcript

Unless Rule 2.06 provides otherwise, written deposition transcripts, including attachments and exhibits, must be filed through the court’s e-File System.

(2) e-Filing and Redaction. Except as otherwise provided in Rule 2.06, all written deposition transcripts, including attachments and exhibits, shall be filed through the court’s e-File System in accordance with Rule 2.01 and Civ.R. 30.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Indictment

Criminal-case indictments must be electronically filed under the court's rules and served on defendants under the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Indictments in criminal cases shall be submitted for e-Filing in compliance with these Rules and shall be served on defendants according to the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Cqe petition

CQE petitions must use the prescribed Division of Parole and Community Services form and be filed through the designated website.

All petitions for a certificate of qualification for employment (“CQE”) shall be made on the form prescribed by the Division of Parole and Community Services under Ohio Adm.Code 5120-15-01 and filed through the designated website at https://drccqe.com.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Indictment

Criminal indictments must be electronically filed in compliance with the governing rules and served on defendants under the Ohio Criminal Rules.

Indictments in criminal cases shall be submitted for e-Filing in compliance with these Rules and shall be served on defendants according to the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

During an unexpected e-File System outage, documents may be filed in paper to meet jurisdictional deadlines.

In the event of an unexpected e-File System outage, documents may be filed in paper format to comply with jurisdictional deadlines.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Judicial filings

Filings signed by a judge or other judicial officer must be electronically filed.

Subject to the provisions of these Rules, all filings signed by a Judge or other judicial officer shall be eFiled.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

Criminal cases

Applies to

Certificate of qualification for employment petition

CQE petitions must be filed electronically through the designated website at https://drccqe.com.

All petitions for a certificate of qualification for employment (“CQE”) shall be made on the form prescribed by the Division of Parole and Community Services under Ohio Adm.Code 5120-15-01 and filed through the designated website at https://drccqe.com.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

All documents filed with the Clerk must be submitted through the e-File System unless the rules provide otherwise.

Unless otherwise set forth in this Rule, all documents filed with the Clerk must be submitted through the e-File System.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Sealed judge access only documents in camera review exhibits attachments non pdf documents and certificate or execution of judgment documents

Documents filed under seal for Judge Access Only, submitted for in camera review, not comprehensively viewable as a PDF, or related to certificates or executions of judgment must be submitted in paper form.

The following documents shall be submitted in paper form instead of through the e-File System: (a) Documents filed under seal and designated “Judge Access Only,” as provided in Rule 2.06; (b) Documents submitted for in camera review, as provided in Rule 2.07; (c) Exhibits, attachments, or other documents that cannot be comprehensively viewed as a .pdf; and (d) Documents related to Certificates or Executions of Judgment.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

All attorneys must register with the e-File System.

All attorneys must register with the e-File System.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL

The e-File System must be used to file, serve, receive, review, and retrieve copies of all e-filed documents in civil and criminal cases unless the rules specifically provide otherwise.

The e-File System shall be used to file, serve, receive, review, and retrieve copies of all e-Filed documents in civil or criminal cases, except as otherwise specifically provided in these Rules.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING

Unregistered pro se parties may file documents in paper form by U.S. Mail, commercial carrier, or in person with the Clerk.

Pro se parties who are not registered users of the e-File System may file documents in paper form by U.S. Mail, commercial carrier, or in person with the Clerk.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING

Unregistered pro se parties may file documents in paper form by U.S. mail, commercial carrier, or in person with the Clerk.

Pro se parties who are not registered users of the e-File System may file documents in paper form by U.S. Mail, commercial carrier, or in person with the Clerk.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026INFO

Filings may be submitted electronically to the Clerk at any time.

Any filing may be e-Filed with the Clerk 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026INFO

Pro se parties may register with the e-File System, but registration is not required.

Pro se parties may, but are not required to, register with the e-File System.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026INFO

Judges and judicial officers may sign e-filed documents with a digitized signature image combined with a digital signature, which has the same effect as a handwritten signature on a journalized paper copy.

e-Filed documents may be signed by a Judge or other judicial officer via a digitized image of the Judge’s or judicial officer’s signature combined with a digital signature. All orders, decrees, judgments and other documents signed in this manner shall have the same force and effect as if the Judge or judicial officer had affixed a handwritten signature to a paper copy of the document and journalized it.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026INFO

Any filing may be e-filed with the Clerk at any time, including weekends.

Any filing may be e-Filed with the Clerk 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026INFO

Pro se parties may register with the e-File System, but registration is optional for them.

Pro se parties may, but are not required to, register with the e-File System.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Appeal transcript ?

The Judicial Assistant shall file an electronic copy of the transcript with the Clerk of the Second District Court of Appeals.

Summary: For an indigent criminal defendant’s appeal, the Judicial Assistant must electronically file the transcript with the Second District Court of Appeals.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Written deposition transcript

Except as otherwise provided in Rule 2.06, all written deposition transcripts, including attachments and exhibits, shall be filed through the court’s e-File System in accordance with Rule 2.01 and Civ.R. 30.

Summary: All written deposition transcripts, including attachments and exhibits, must be filed through the court’s e-File System unless Rule 2.06 provides otherwise.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Unless otherwise set forth in this Rule, all documents filed with the Clerk must be submitted through the e-File System.

Summary: Unless an exception applies, all documents filed with the Clerk must be submitted through the e-File System.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

The following documents shall be submitted in paper form instead of through the e-File System:

Summary: Documents under seal, submitted for in camera review, unable to be comprehensively viewed as a PDF, or related to certificates or executions of judgment must be submitted in paper form.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Sealed document ?

Documents filed under seal and designated “Judge Access Only,” as provided in Rule 2.06;

Summary: Documents filed under seal and designated “Judge Access Only” must be submitted in paper form.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Documents submitted for in camera review, as provided in Rule 2.07;

Summary: Documents submitted for in camera review must be submitted in paper form.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Exhibits, attachments, or other documents that cannot be comprehensively viewed as a .pdf;

Summary: Exhibits, attachments, and other documents that cannot be comprehensively viewed as a PDF must be submitted in paper form.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Documents related to Certificates or Executions of Judgment.

Summary: Documents related to certificates or executions of judgment must be submitted in paper form.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Judicial filings ?

Subject to the provisions of these Rules, all filings signed by a Judge or other judicial officer shall be eFiled.

Summary: All filings signed by a judge or other judicial officer must be filed electronically.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Appeal transcript ?

The Judicial Assistant shall file an electronic copy of the transcript with the Clerk of the Second District Court of Appeals.

Summary: For an indigent criminal defendant's appeal, the Judicial Assistant must file an electronic transcript copy with the Second District Court of Appeals clerk.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Appeal transcript ?

The Court’s Transcriptionist or the stenographer shall file a paper copy of the transcript with the Clerk of the Second District Court of Appeals.

Summary: For an indigent criminal defendant's appeal, the transcriptionist or stenographer must file a paper transcript copy with the Second District Court of Appeals clerk.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Sealed documents ?

“No Remote Access by Public” means the documents shall be e-Filed pursuant to Rule 2.01.

Summary: Documents designated for “No Remote Access by Public” must be filed electronically under Rule 2.01.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Sealed documents ?

“No Remote or Direct Access by Public” means the documents shall be e-Filed pursuant to Rule 2.01.

Summary: Documents designated for “No Remote or Direct Access by Public” must be filed electronically under Rule 2.01.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to

Mediation conference statement

Mediation conference statements are not to be filed.

Summary: Mediation conference statements must not be filed with the court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Judicial filing ?

In accordance with R.C. 2303.08 and State ex rel. Office of the Montgomery Cty. Pub. Defender v. Siroki, 2006-Ohio-1065, the Clerk shall not reject any decision, order, or entry submitted by any judge or other judicial officer of this court on the basis that Clerk staff believes that the filing was submitted under an inappropriate “Document Type Category” in the e-Filing system. In such event, Clerk staff shall contact the judicial officer for clarification, add any appropriate e-Filing queues for distribution, and accept the submission for filing.

Summary: The Clerk must accept a judicial filing despite an allegedly inappropriate e-filing category, contact the judicial officer for clarification, add appropriate distribution queues, and file the submission.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

An individual registered with the e-File System shall maintain a confidential user name and password that will be used to file, serve, receive, review, and retrieve e-Filed documents in a case. Each person registered with the e-File System shall be responsible for the security and use of such user name and password.

Summary: Each registered user must maintain a confidential username and password and is responsible for their security and use.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

All registered users of the e-File System may file a document using the Public Access Terminal. Registered users of the e-File System may electronically file documents through the Public Access Terminal.

Summary: Registered users may file documents and electronically file documents through the Public Access Terminal.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

All registered users of the e-File System may file a document using the Public Access Terminal. Registered users of the e-File System may electronically file documents through the Public Access Terminal.

Summary: Registered users may file documents electronically through the Public Access Terminal.