Franklin County, Ohio: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is Franklin County Municipal Court, Small Claims Division in Columbus. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $6,000. Ohio return time: 30 days. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,274. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listed	Franklin County Municipal Court, Small Claims Division
City	Columbus
Statewide filing fee	Current court fee schedule
E-filing	Yes, see filing page
Small claims limit	$6,000 (statewide)
State deposit return deadline	30 days after Termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession by the tenant.
Time limit to sue	6 years
Deposit statute	Ohio Revised Code § 5321.16 (Security deposits - procedures)

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Details

Limits: $6,000 (statewide).

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Ohio small-claims details: the limit, the deadline to sue, and where to file.

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Details of the return rules

Ohio statutory deadlines
When it applies	Deadline	Starts from
Deposit return	30 days	Termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession by the tenant

Ohio return rule: 30 days. Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: Franklin County Municipal Court, Small Claims Division. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.

Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.

Who do you name in the claim?

Find and compare the legal names

Find and compare the legal names in these records:

The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
The owner of record in the property records of Franklin County.
The Ohio business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Ohio Secretary of State

A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.

What to bring to the clerk

Your lease.
Deposit receipt or payment record.
The demand letter and proof of delivery.
Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.

Check the Ohio filing procedure before you go.

Service methods: certified mail by clerk.

Procedure source (medium confidence): The time set for such trial shall be not less than fifteen or more than forty days after the commencement of the action.

Is it worth filing here?

Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Franklin County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms	Deposit owed	Statutory amount	Total illustration	Limit check
1	$1,062	$1,062	$2,124	Fits under the $6,000 limit for this illustrated claim
2	$1,274	$1,274	$2,548	Fits under the $6,000 limit for this illustrated claim
3	$1,391	$1,391	$2,782	Fits under the $6,000 limit for this illustrated claim
4	$1,656	$1,656	$3,312	Fits under the $6,000 limit for this illustrated claim

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.

How does Franklin County compare with other Ohio counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,274: rank 2 of 62 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 47% of households rent in Franklin County.

Franklin County two-bedroom rent $1,274, rank 2 of 62 counties

Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
County	Median gross rent
Delaware County	$1,503
Franklin County	$1,274
Warren County	$1,249
Fairfield County	$1,140
Lake County	$1,087
Clermont County	$1,079

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 62 of 62 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Franklin County

Bexley
Brice
Canal Winchester
Columbus
Dublin
Gahanna
Grandview Heights
Grove City
Groveport
Harrisburg
Hilliard
Lithopolis
Lockbourne
Marble Cliff
Minerva Park
New Albany
Obetz
Pickerington
Reynoldsburg
Riverlea
Upper Arlington
Urbancrest
Valleyview
Westerville
Whitehall

And 1 more.

These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file

Free legal help

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio: Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income residents, including eviction, housing conditions and other housing problems.

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Franklin County?

The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page

Where do I file a deposit claim in Franklin County?

Franklin County Municipal Court, Small Claims Division is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page

Who should I name in the claim?

Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

What should I bring to the clerk?

Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.