Filing for divorce in Ohio without an attorney costs $250-$350 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 6 months in Ohio, 90 days in county. Ohio is a equitable distribution state with a 30-90 days waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 2-4 months (dissolution). Victoria AI guides you through every step with Ohio-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $250-$350 (Franklin County (Columbus): $300. Cuyahoga County (Cleveland): $350. Hamilton County (Cincinnati): $275. Fees vary by county.) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months in Ohio, 90 days in county |
| Waiting Period | 30-90 days |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (fair, not equal) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Incompatibility (no-fault for dissolution), Living apart for 1 year (no-fault), Adultery, Extreme cruelty, Willful absence, Fraudulent contract, Gross neglect of duty, Habitual drunkenness, Imprisonment, Bigamy |
| No-Fault Only? | No (fault grounds available) |
| Uncontested Timeline | 2-4 months (dissolution) |
| Contested Timeline | 6 months to 2+ years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Ohio, you must meet the following residency requirement: 6 months in Ohio, 90 days in county.
At least one spouse must have been a resident of Ohio for at least 6 months AND a resident of the county where filing for at least 90 days before filing.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Ohio's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Ohio without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
At least one spouse must have been a resident of Ohio for at least 6 months AND a resident of the county where filing for at least 90 days before filing.
Download the official Ohio divorce forms: Petition for Dissolution, Complaint for Divorce, Financial Disclosure. All forms are available from the Ohio courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (DR Form) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Ohio court and pay the filing fee of $250-$350. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Ohio rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Ohio law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
For dissolution (uncontested), there's a 30-90 day waiting period. For divorce (contested), there's no specific waiting period but the process takes longer.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Ohio, this typically takes 2-4 months (dissolution). The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Ohio. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
For agreed dissolutions
For contested divorce
Financial affidavit
Final judgment
The filing fee to start a divorce in Ohio is $250-$350. Franklin County (Columbus): $300. Cuyahoga County (Cleveland): $350. Hamilton County (Cincinnati): $275. Fees vary by county.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $250-$350 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $400-$1,200 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Ohio offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Ohio, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Ohio courts are strict about service requirements.
Ohio is a equitable distribution state.
Ohio divides marital property equitably. The court considers duration of marriage, assets and liabilities, liquidity of property, economic desirability of retaining assets or interests, tax consequences, retirement benefits, and any other relevant factors.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Ohio law applies to your specific property.
Ohio uses the Income shares model per Ohio R.C. 3119.
Ohio uses detailed income shares guidelines. Combined annual gross incomes of both parents determine the basic support, with adjustments for parenting time, health insurance, and childcare. Ohio's guidelines are very detailed.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Ohio divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $250-$350 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
30-90 days - For dissolution (uncontested), there's a 30-90 day waiting period. For divorce (contested), there's no specific waiting period but the process takes longer.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
Distinction between 'dissolution' (agreed) and 'divorce' (contested)
Very detailed child support guidelines
Both fault and no-fault grounds
Many fault grounds available
Detailed spousal support factors
Common questions about filing for divorce in Ohio without an attorney.
Get 24/7 guidance specific to Ohio's forms, procedures, and requirements.
Ohio-specific forms
Guidance through every required form
Financial disclosure wizard
Complete your financial affidavit step-by-step
Child support calculator
Using Ohio's exact guidelines
AI document drafting
Create properly formatted legal documents
Evidence notebook
Organize and categorize case documents
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Victoria provides legal information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your case, consult an attorney.
All Ohio divorce information verified from official state court sources.
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