Parties can be served by certified mail, personal service, or residence service.

Certified mail is completed when the Clerk mails a copy of the Summons and Complaint to the Defendant and the Post Office returns confirmation that service was successful.

Personal service is completed when a Court Service Bailiff physically delivers the Notice and Summons to the defendant. Similarly, residence service is completed when a Court Service Bailiff delivers the Notice and Summons to a person who is 18 years or older at the usual place where the defendant lives. Sheriff service is an option for defendants that are located outside of Franklin County.

Service costs vary based on the service type and the number of defendants served.

Name and address information may be available by searching the internet, a telephone book, county auditor property records, or court sites like www.fcmcclerk.com for criminal and civil case records.

If the defendant is a business, the Ohio Secretary of State website may have the name and address of the business' statutory agent authorized to receive court service.

If service is not successful and a new address for a defendant is available, use the "Instructions to the Clerk" form to request certified mail or bailiff service to a new address.

Complete the case information at the top, select the service type (mark certified or bailiff) and enter the new address on the bottom right of the form. If bailiff service is requested, you must also complete the Instructions for Service of Summons form. Mail or hand-deliver the form to the Clerk of Court with the court cost.

A new hearing date will be scheduled once service is requested and the court cost is received by the Clerk.

If certified mail was requested but not returned by the Post Office, you may request service again by completing the "Instructions to the Clerk" form to request certified mail or personal service to the same address.

To request personal service by a sheriff outside of Franklin County three forms must be completed:

1. Instructions to Clerk: Complete the top portion of the page, mark out of county sheriff, and write the name of the county on the blank line. If the address for the defendant is a new address, write the new address on the bottom right of the page.


2. Instructions for Service of Summons (for Clerk): One Instructions for Service page will be mailed by the Clerk via certified mail to the sheriff. Mark certified mail on the top and bottom portions of the page and write the name and address of the sheriff’s department on the bottom portion.


3. Instructions for Service of Summons (for Sheriff): The second Instructions for Service page will be used by the out of county sheriff to personally serve the defendant. Mark personal service on the top and bottom portions of the page and write the name and address of the defendant on the bottom portion.

The initial deposit for out of county sheriff service is $41. The final cost may be more or less after service is attempted.

Please complete the Address Update form and either mail or hand-deliver your signed copy to the court. There is no court cost to update your own address.