Summit County Court of Common Pleas, General Division Document Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Attorney fee application

Applications for attorney fees and expense reimbursement must be submitted on the appropriate form.

All applications for attorney fees and reimbursement of expenses shall be submitted on the appropriate form.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Appointed counsel fee request

Must include

affidavit of indigency

Payment or expense reimbursement for appointed representation requires submission of the OPD-1026 motion, entry, and certification and an Affidavit of Indigency approved by the assigned judge.

11. Payment and/or reimbursement for expenses associated with providing representation shall be made upon submission of the Motion, Entry and Certification for Appointed Counsel Fees OPD-1026 and Affidavit of Indigency which has been approved by the assigned judge.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Appointed counsel fee request

Fee requests for post-conviction matters or subsequent billing on an active case must identify that information and the matter type in the specified OPD-1026 section, using the assigned judge’s decision date as the termination date.

13. Post Conviction Matters/Multiple Billing: Any attorney requesting fees for post-conviction matters (judicial release, probation violation, etc.) or subsequent billing on an active case shall indicate so on the form OPD-1026 within the Summary of Charges, Hours, Expenses and Billing section. Attorneys shall clearly identify the type of post-conviction matter involved with the fees request within said section and utilize the date the assigned judge set forth a decision on the matter as the termination date.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Criminal cases

Applies to

Record of release

The record of any release applying deposited cash or securities must be filed with the case record.

The record of such release in regard to the application of such deposited cash or securities shall be filed with the record of the case.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Complaint

The complaint, Preliminary Judicial Report, and Certificate of Readiness must be filed as separate documents at the same time, separately time-stamped, with the complaint filed first.

The complaint, the Preliminary Judicial Report and the Certificate of Readiness shall be filed as separate documents at the same time and shall be separately time-stamped with the complaint being filed first.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Final judicial report

The Final Judicial Report must include the property's correct legal description, parcel number, and routing number from the approved and released deed.

(A) The Final Judicial Report must include the correct legal description, parcel, and routing numbers for such property taken from the property deed as approved and released by the County Fiscal Officer's Property Deed Transfer Division.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Final judgment entry

Three copies of the Property Description Approval form and approved legal description must be filed and time-stamped with the Clerk and attached to the Final Judgment Entry; the Clerk attaches one copy to the Final Judicial Report and returns two copies for attachment to the Praecipe.

(B) Three (3) copies of the Property Description Approval form and the approved legal description shall be filed and time-stamped with the Clerk of Courts and shall be attached to the filing of the Final Judgment Entry in the foreclosure case. The Clerk of Courts will attach one copy to the Final Judicial Report and return the two (2) copies to the party filing the Final Judicial Report which shall then be attached to the Praecipe.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Final judicial report

Before filing a Decree of Foreclosure or Decree of Partition, a Final Judicial Report must be filed with the Clerk and state the service method for each party and whether additional liens or mortgages were filed after the Preliminary Judicial Report.

(C) A Final Judicial Report shall be issued and filed with the Clerk of Courts before the Decree of Foreclosure or Decree of Partition is filed. Said report shall state the method of service on each of the parties and shall include a statement indicating whether any additional liens or mortgages have been filed since the date the Preliminary Judicial Report was issued.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Notice

The written notice must include a photocopy of the Sheriff's Sale advertisement and all information required by R.C. 2329.26.

Written notice shall include a photocopy of the advertisement of Sheriff's Sale and all information required by R.C. 2329.26.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Tax verification form

The buyer must obtain a blank Tax Verification Form from the Sheriff's website, complete the top portion fully, and sign it.

Obtain a Blank Tax Verification Form from the Summit County Sheriff's Website, Complete the Top Portion in Full, then Sign the Top Portion.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Notice of appeal

An appeal requires filing a notice with the Clerk and serving it on the adverse parties and assigned judge, accompanied by a signed affidavit that the appeal is not for delay.

Files a notice of appeal with the Clerk and serves a copy on the adverse party or parties and assigned judge accompanied by an affidavit that the appeal is not being taken for delay. The affidavit accompanying the notice of appeal shall be signed by the appealing party or counsel for the appealing party.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Motion to supplement record

Must include

affidavit

When additional evidence is required or permitted by law, a motion to supplement the record must be filed within 14 days after the record is filed and supported by an affidavit stating the requested evidence, its nature and type, and the reasons for its submission.

In all appeals where the submission of additional evidence is required or permitted by law, a motion to supplement the record shall be filed within fourteen (14) days after the filing of the record of proceedings, supported by affidavit requesting the submission of additional evidence and specifying the nature and type of additional evidence to be submitted and the reasons therefor.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Court filing

Filers must omit personal and private information from filed documents and attachments unless it is necessary and relevant to the case.

Filing parties and/or legal counsel shall not include personal and private information in any document filed with the Court unless such inclusion is necessary and relevant to the case. This requirement extends to and includes exhibits or addenda attached to filings, such as financial reports which use social security numbers as case numbers or medical records.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Audio video deposition transcript

An audio or video deposition transcript may not be presented at trial or hearing unless the attorney of record has electronically filed its written transcript.

The Court will not accept or permit the audio/video version of a deposition transcript to be presented during trial or hearing unless a written transcript of the deposition has been filed by the attorney of record through the Clerk’s electronic filing system.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint counterclaim crossclaim or third party complaint

The caption of an original complaint, counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party complaint must include the parties' addresses, using “unknown” for any unknown address.

Upon filing the original complaint or any counterclaim, crossclaim, or third party complaint, in addition to the Instructions for Service required by this Rule, the filer shall include the address of the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) in the caption of the document. If the address of any plaintiff or defendant is unknown, the filer shall substitute “unknown” for the address in the caption.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Certificate of service

Must include

certificate of service

Certificates of service must comply with the cited rules, be properly signed, and contain the specified e-filing and paper-service certification language for the respective recipients.

Proof of service of all documents required or permitted to be served shall be made in compliance with Civ. R. 5(B)(4) and Crim. R. 49(C). The Certificate of Service shall be signed in accordance with applicable Ohio court rules and laws, including these Rules, and shall contain the following language for each party entitled to service: “I hereby certify that on [date] this document was eFiled via the Court’s eFile system which shall send notifications of this filing to the following: [list parties or their counsel who are registered users of the Court’s eFile system]. 14 I hereby certify that on [date] I served this document in accordance with [Civ. R. 5 or Crim. R. 49] on the following: [list pro se parties who are not registered users of the Court’s eFile system].”

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Criminal filing

Criminal filings must include an original and two copies.

All filings in criminal cases shall include an original and two (2) copies.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Every motion must include a brief stating its grounds and citing supporting authorities.

Every motion filed shall be accompanied by a brief stating the grounds upon which it is based, and a citation of authorities relied upon to support the motion.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Judgment order

Within 7 days after a court finding or jury verdict, prevailing counsel must submit a judgment order approved by opposing counsel.

Within seven (7) days after such finding by the Court or rendering of a verdict by jury, counsel for the prevailing party shall submit to the Court, for approval and filing, a judgment order approved by opposing counsel.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Within 10 days after a finding or verdict, prevailing counsel must, and other counsel may, provide opposing counsel a proposed order and notice of its planned submission to the Court.

Within ten (10) days after finding or verdict, prevailing counsel shall, and other counsel may, provide to opposing counsel, a copy of a proposed order together with a notice that said order will be submitted to the Court for approval and filing at a time to be assigned by the Court, at which time the Court shall determine the content of the judgment order.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Case summary

Parties must submit Mediation Office case summaries on its form four business days before the conference, and must not file them with the Clerk of Courts.

Prior to the mediation conference, the parties will prepare case summaries on a form provided by the Mediation Office and submit these to the Mediation Office four (4) business days prior to the conference. These case summaries are not to be filed with the Clerk of Courts.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation conference

Insurance representatives with adequate settlement authority must attend the conference unless the Court excuses them.

The Court requires that insurance representatives with adequate authority to settle the claim be present at the conference unless excused by the Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Dismissal

A pre-conference settlement cancels the conference if a written settlement agreement or dismissal notice is filed, and copies of the dismissal must be exchanged with the parties and counsel, including pro se parties, with a courtesy copy to the mediator.

If the parties agree to settle the case prior to the scheduled conference, the conference will be canceled by the mediator if a written settlement agreement or notice of dismissal has been filed with the court. Copies of such dismissal will be exchanged between the parties and their counsel, including pro se parties, with a courtesy copy to the mediator.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Settlement agreement

If the parties reach agreement during mediation, they must put it in writing, sign and date it, and each retain the original or a copy.

Upon reaching agreement during the mediation conference, the parties and their counsel shall reduce the agreement to writing, sign and date the same and each retain the original or a copy.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation report

Within ten days after a mediation conference, the Mediation Office must report specified settlement-status information in writing to the assigned judge.

In all cases where a mediation conference has been conducted the Mediation Office will, within ten (10) days, report to the assigned judge in writing whether a full or partial agreement was reached; whether efforts to settle the case have ceased or are continuing; or that mediation did not produce a final resolution.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Receiver report

Before a public or private sale of property appraised above $1,000, the receiver must file a report showing expenditures incurred or expected before the sale.

In all receiverships in which property appraised in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) is to be put up for public or private sale, the receiver shall file in advance of such sale, a report with the Court showing amount of expenditures incurred or to be incurred, prior to the time the sale is to be conducted.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Receiver fee application

Applications for partial or final payment of fees to a receiver and the receiver’s counsel must be submitted for Court approval.

Any application for payment of fees (partial or final) to a receiver and counsel for receiver, shall be submitted for approval by the Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to

Receiver fee application

A receiver fee application must detail work time, funds, creditor claims and payments, prior authorized fees, and estimated time to complete the receivership and distribution.

Such application shall show time spent on enumerated items; amounts of money collected, disbursed, and on hand; status of secured and unsecured creditors' claims, including amounts claimed, payments made thereon, and balances due; the amounts and dates of prior fees authorized in the case; and an estimate of the amount of time necessary to complete the work in the receivership and to make final distribution.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Applies to

All documents

Attorneys must include their Ohio registration number and office contact information on every filed document.

All attorneys shall include their attorney registration number issued by the Supreme Court of Ohio, office address, phone number, email address and fax number on all documents filed with the Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Applies to

Efile document

An e-filed document requiring the attorney's or filing party's signature must use the conformed signature format “/s/ [name].”

eFiled documents that require the signature of the attorney or filing party shall be signed with a conformed signature of “/s/ [name].”

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Applies to

Signed original

The filer must retain the signed original and produce it upon request, keeping it until the case is closed and appeals and post-judgment relief opportunities are exhausted.

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 appeals have been heard or denied and all opportunities for post judgment relief are exhausted.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Applies to

Report to court

The mediator must not retain a copy of the settlement terms, and the report to the court may state only that the case settled, who pays costs, and who prepares the dismissal entry.

The mediator shall not retain a copy of the terms of the agreement and the report to the court shall indicate only that the case is settled, who will pay court costs and who will prepare the dismissal entry.

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

Civil cases

Applies to

Complaint

Must include

caption ?

In actions for the marshaling and foreclosure of liens on real property or partition of real estate, a Preliminary Judicial Report or a Title Commitment as authorized by R.C. 2329.191(C) shall be filed with the Clerk by the attorney for the plaintiff at the time of the filing of the complaint.

Summary: In lien-marshaling, foreclosure, and real-estate partition actions, the plaintiff's attorney must file a Preliminary Judicial Report or authorized Title Commitment with the complaint.

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

Civil cases

Applies to

Certificate

Must include

certificate of conference ?

Along with the filing of the Preliminary Judicial Report or a Title Commitment, the attorney shall file a Certificate of Readiness and any required supporting documentation, demonstrating that plaintiff is the real party in interest and the matter is ready to proceed against all necessary parties. This shall be signed by the attorney.

Summary: The attorney must file a signed Certificate of Readiness and required supporting documentation with the title evidence, showing plaintiff is the real party in interest and the case is ready to proceed against all necessary parties.

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

Civil cases

Applies to

Tax verification form

Payment of taxes is to be made at the Summit County Fiscal Office directly. Tax Verification Forms will be required on all foreclosure sales, non-tax included, as of May 1, 2018.

Summary: Taxes must be paid directly to the Summit County Fiscal Office, and Tax Verification Forms are required for all foreclosure sales, including non-tax-included sales.

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

Civil cases

Applies to

Tax verification form

Submit the Completed Tax Verification Form and Payment for taxes due on the Tax Duplicate to the Summit County Fiscal Office.

Summary: The buyer must submit the completed Tax Verification Form and payment for Tax Duplicate taxes to the Summit County Fiscal Office.

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

Applies to

Reply brief

The movant's reply brief shall not refer to or include any additional evidentiary materials without agreement of the parties or leave of the Court.

Summary: A summary-judgment reply may not cite or include additional evidence without party agreement or leave of Court.

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

Applies to

Additional reply brief

Additional reply briefs may only be filed with leave of the Court only upon a showing of good cause.

Summary: Additional summary-judgment reply briefs require leave of Court and a showing of good cause.

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

Civil cases

Applies to

Judgment entry

Such judgment entry shall contain notice that the judgment entry is a final appealable order, and record of the decision shall be entered pursuant to Civil Rile 58(B).

Summary: A judgment entry denying a CQE petition must state that it is a final appealable order, and the decision must be recorded under Civil Rule 58(B).

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

Civil cases

Applies to

Receiver report ?

Semi-annually, after filing the first report with inventory, appraisement and account, the receiver shall file consecutively numbered reports with accounts for approval of the Court by entry as to all receipts and expenditures made by the receiver during the reporting period and a summary of plans for the future conduct of the receivership.

Summary: After the first report, the receiver must file consecutively numbered reports twice yearly with accounts of receipts and expenditures and a summary of future plans.

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

Civil cases

Applies to

Notice

If repairs were made, such notice shall include a copy of the receipt or bill showing the items of repair made and the amount paid for labor and materials.

Summary: If repairs were made, the estimate notice must include a receipt or bill identifying repairs and amounts paid for labor and materials.