Ohio Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $6,000 (statewide). Court: Ohio Municipal Court, Small Claims Division (County Court Small Claims Division in areas without municipal court). Limitation period listed in our state data: 6 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 4/62 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 14 days.
County court coverage and fees
62 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 4, No 1, Not verified 57
Deposit return deadlines
- 30 days after Termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession by the tenant.
From a letter to court
- Send an Ohio security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records. Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 14 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Ohio: 6 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
How to file
File online: Varies by county
Statewide filing fee: A filing fee as determined by the court (ORC 1925.04(A)(1)); no single statewide dollar.
How papers are served:
- certified mail by clerk
Attorneys allowed: Yes
Time until a hearing: The time set for such trial shall be not less than fifteen or more than forty days after the commencement of the action.
The time set for such trial shall be not less than fifteen or more than forty days after the commencement of the action.
Free Ohio template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code § 5321.16), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession by the tenant.
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $6,000 (statewide) |
|---|---|
| Court | Ohio Municipal Court, Small Claims Division (County Court Small Claims Division in areas without municipal court) |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 6 years |
| Forwarding address required | Yes |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes; Any deduction from the security deposit must be itemized; the interest requirement applies specifically to the portion of the deposit exceeding $50 or one month's periodic rent (whichever is greater), and only accrues if tenant remains in possession 6+ months |
What you can recover
If landlord fails to itemize deductions and return amount due within 30 days, tenant may recover the money/property wrongfully withheld PLUS damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld (i.e., effectively double/2x the wrongfully withheld amount) PLUS reasonable attorney's fees. No separate "bad faith" finding is required by the statute text itself (courts have sometimes read a good-faith dispute defense into case law, but the statute's plain text imposes the doubling regardless of intent) - tenant must have provided landlord a forwarding address in writing or forfeits this remedy. Bad faith required: No.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | Franklin County Municipal Court, Small Claims Division, Columbus | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Base fee schedule on fcmcclerk.com (variable by case type/defendants); verify current amount at filing | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Cuyahoga County | Cleveland Municipal Court, Civil Division (Small Claims), Cleveland | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $37 plus $7 per additional defendant | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Hamilton County | Hamilton County Municipal Court, Small Claims Division, Cincinnati | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $54 plus $10 per additional defendant | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Summit County | Akron Municipal Court, Small Claims Office, Akron | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $37 plus $7 per additional defendant | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Montgomery County | Dayton Municipal Court, Civil/Small Claims Division, Dayton | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $37 plus $7 per additional defendant | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Lucas County | Toledo Municipal Court, Small Claims Division, Toledo | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $61.50 plus $11.50 per additional defendant | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Butler County | Butler County Area Courts - Area II Court (Hamilton), Small Claims, Hamilton | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Not confirmed from an official source in this research; contact Area II Court clerk ((513) 887-3459) for current fee schedule | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Stark County | Canton Municipal Court, Civil Division (Small Claims), Canton | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: Tiered by amount in controversy, roughly $46+; verify current schedule via Clerk of Courts | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Lorain County | Elyria Municipal Court, Civil Division (Small Claims), Elyria | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $112 plus $10 per additional defendant (effective 3/1/2026 per court FAQ) | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Warren County | Warren County Court, Small Claims Division, Lebanon | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $85 for first defendant plus $33 per additional defendant | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Lake County | Painesville Municipal Court, Small Claims Division (Lake County splits venue among Painesville/Mentor/Willoughby Municipal Courts by defendant location), Painesville | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $60 plus $10 per additional defendant (Painesville; Mentor/Willoughby not separately confirmed) | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Delaware County | Delaware Municipal Court, Small Claims Division, Delaware | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Not confirmed from an official source in this research; see court's Court Costs and Bond Schedules page for current amount | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Adams County | Adams County Court - Small Claims Division, West Union | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Ashland County | Ashland Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Ashland | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: Small Claims Complaint (includes certified U.S. mail service on 1 defendant): $65.00 Source: https://www.ashlandmunicourt.com/court-services/civil-traffic-costs/ | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Ashtabula County | Ashtabula Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Ashtabula | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: New Complaint - Small Claims ($6,000 limit) $100.00 Source: https://ashtabulamunicipalcourt.com/wp-content/uploads/Updated-Civil-Filing-Fees-2025.pdf | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Athens County | Athens County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Athens | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Auglaize County | Auglaize County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Wapakoneta | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Brown County | Brown County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Georgetown | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Carroll County | Carroll County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Carrollton | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Champaign County | Champaign County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Urbana | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: Small Claims Complaint $75.00 Plus service fees Source: https://www.champaigncountymunicipalcourt.com/images/pdfs/2026_Civil_Cost_Sheet.pdf | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Clark County | Clark County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Springfield | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Clermont County | Clermont County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Batavia | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Clinton County | Clinton County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Wilmington | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: Small Claims | $75.00 Small Claims - Certified Mail | $75.00 Plus $25.00 for each additional Defendant Small Claims - Personal/Residential | $75.00 Plus $25.00 for each additional Defendant Source: https://www.clintonmunicourt.org/fees.php | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Columbiana County | Columbiana County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Lisbon | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Crawford County | Crawford County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Bucyrus | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: Small Claims (1 Defendant) * | $110.00 Source: https://www.crawfordcountymuni.org/smClaims.php | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Darke County | Darke County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Greenville | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: A filing fee of $67.00 is due at the time of filing for claims up to $1,000.00. A filing fee of $92.00 is due at the time of filing for claims of $1,000.01 to $3,000.00. A filing fee of $117.00 is due at the time of filing for claims of $3,000.01 to $6,000.00. Source: https://darkecourts.com/small-claims/ | No | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Fairfield County | Fairfield County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Lancaster | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Complaint 90.00 Certified mail service, one defendant Each additional defendant by certified mail 10.00 Source: https://www.fcmcourt.org/docs/document_selector/upload/court_general_information/Small_Claims_Costs_2024.pdf | Yes | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Fulton County | Fulton County Court Western District - Small Claims Division, Wauseon | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Gallia County | Gallipolis Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Gallipolis | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Guernsey County | Cambridge Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Cambridge | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Hardin County | Hardin County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Kenton | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Harrison County | Harrison County Court - Small Claims Division, Cadiz | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Henry County | Napoleon Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Napoleon | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Court website (shared directory, not county-specific) Checked against a shared court directory, not a county page |
| Holmes County | Holmes County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Millersburg | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Huron County | Norwalk Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Norwalk | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Jackson County | Jackson County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Jackson | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Jefferson County | Steubenville Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Steubenville | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Court website (shared directory, not county-specific) Checked against a shared court directory, not a county page |
| Knox County | Mount Vernon Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Mount Vernon | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Court website (shared directory, not county-specific) Checked against a shared court directory, not a county page |
| Lawrence County | Ironton Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Ironton | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Court website (shared directory, not county-specific) Checked against a shared court directory, not a county page |
| Licking County | Licking County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Newark | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Logan County | Bellefontaine Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Bellefontaine | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Madison County | Madison County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, London | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Mahoning County | Youngstown Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Youngstown | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Marion County | Marion County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Marion | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Meigs County | Meigs County Court - Small Claims Division, Pomeroy | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: Small Claim Filing | $90.00 Source: https://meigscountycourt.org/civcosts.php | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Mercer County | Celina Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Celina | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Morgan County | Morgan County Court - Small Claims Division, McConnelsville | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Morrow County | Morrow County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Mount Gilead | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Ottawa County | Ottawa County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Port Clinton | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Pickaway County | Circleville Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Circleville | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Preble County | Eaton Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Eaton | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Putnam County | Putnam County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Ottawa | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: The filing fee is $51.00. Source: https://putnamcountyohio.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Small-Claims-Information-and-Forms.pdf | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Richland County | Mansfield Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Mansfield | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Court website (shared directory, not county-specific) Checked against a shared court directory, not a county page |
| Ross County | Chillicothe Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Chillicothe | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: Small Claims filing fee ($6000.00 maximum claim) $ 75.00 Source: https://www.chillicothemunicipalcourt.org/pdf/civilcosts2025.pdf | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Sandusky County | Fremont Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Fremont | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Court website (shared directory, not county-specific) Checked against a shared court directory, not a county page |
| Trumbull County | Warren Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Warren | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Van Wert County | Van Wert Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Van Wert | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Washington County | Marietta Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Marietta | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Court website (shared directory, not county-specific) Checked against a shared court directory, not a county page |
| Wayne County | Wayne County Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Wooster | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Williams County | Bryan Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Bryan | $6,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: Small Claims | $50.00 Each Additional Defendant | $15.00 Source: https://www.bryanmunicipalcourt.com/fees.php | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Wood County | Bowling Green Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Bowling Green | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Court website (shared directory, not county-specific) Checked against a shared court directory, not a county page |
| Wyandot County | Upper Sandusky Municipal Court - Small Claims Division, Upper Sandusky | $6,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
Detailed guides for 62 counties
- Franklin County
- Cuyahoga County
- Hamilton County
- Summit County
- Montgomery County
- Lucas County
- Butler County
- Stark County
- Lorain County
- Warren County
- Lake County
- Delaware County
- Adams County
- Ashland County
- Ashtabula County
- Athens County
- Auglaize County
- Brown County
- Carroll County
- Champaign County
- Clark County
- Clermont County
- Clinton County
- Columbiana County
- Crawford County
- Darke County
- Fairfield County
- Fulton County
- Gallia County
- Guernsey County
- Hardin County
- Harrison County
- Henry County
- Holmes County
- Huron County
- Jackson County
- Jefferson County
- Knox County
- Lawrence County
- Licking County
- Logan County
- Madison County
- Mahoning County
- Marion County
- Meigs County
- Mercer County
- Morgan County
- Morrow County
- Ottawa County
- Pickaway County
- Preble County
- Putnam County
- Richland County
- Ross County
- Sandusky County
- Trumbull County
- Van Wert County
- Washington County
- Wayne County
- Williams County
- Wood County
- Wyandot County
Statute says
Any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due, within thirty days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession. ... If the landlord fails to comply with division (B) of this section, the tenant may recover the property and money due him, together with damages in an amount equal to the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorneys fees.
What this means
Tenant resources
- Ohio State Legal Services Association / Ohio Legal Help (statewide legal aid navigator)legal aid
- Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (housing/security deposit help)legal aid in Cleveland, 216-687-1900
- Ohio Attorney General - Consumer Protection Sectionag consumer, 800-282-0515
- Legal Aid Society of Columbus (Franklin County housing help)legal aid in Columbus, 614-224-8374
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Ohio?
$6,000 (statewide)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 6 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
If landlord fails to itemize deductions and return amount due within 30 days, tenant may recover the money/property wrongfully withheld PLUS damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld (i.e., effectively double/2x the wrongfully withheld amount) PLUS reasonable attorney's fees. No separate "bad faith" finding is required by the statute text itself (courts have sometimes read a good-faith dispute defense into case law, but the statute's plain text imposes the doubling regardless of intent) - tenant must have provided landlord a forwarding address in writing or forfeits this remedy. Bad faith required: No.
Which court handles the claim?
Ohio Municipal Court, Small Claims Division (County Court Small Claims Division in areas without municipal court)
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: 30 days after Termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession by the tenant. Typical response window after a demand letter: 14 days.