FAQ
- How much is the legal aid filing fee surcharge?
- Where is the authority to assess this fee?
- What do these fees support?
- When should the fee be paid?
- How does the court obtain remittance forms?
- Is there someone I can call for help?
How much is the legal aid filing fee surcharge?
The legal aid filing fee surcharge is $26 on new civil actions and proceedings in Ohio municipal courts, county courts, and courts of common pleas. The legal aid filing fee surcharge is $11 on small claims actions and proceedings in Ohio municipal courts, county courts. For actions originally filed as a small claims action that are later transferred to the general civil division of a court, an additional $15 shall be assessed. $1 or 4% of the surcharge is aside by the Treasurer of State to support the state public defender's office.
Where is the authority to assess this fee?
These fee schedules may be found in Revised Code sections 1901.26, 1907.24, and 2303.201.
What do these fees support?
The money collected from the surcharge goes to the Legal Aid Fund with the Treasurer of State and benefits the charitable public purpose of providing financial assistance to legal aid societies that operate within the state.
When should the fee be paid?
The legal aid filing fee surcharge must be paid to the clerk when the action or proceeding is first filed. Typically, the fee is included in the security deposit amount collected by the court. The legal aid filing fee surcharge is then deducted from the security deposit and remitted to the Treasurer of State's office by the clerk of court on or before the twentieth day of the month following the month the surcharge was collected.
How does the court obtain remittance forms?
Forms and online payment options can be obtained from the Treasurer of State's website at https://payments.tos.ohio.gov/ReparationsRotary. Information required for filing fee remittances include the number of cases filed for small claims, civil, no fee, and number of cases moving from small claims to civil. The forms also require the designation of the remittance month, a signature and phone number.
Is there someone I can call for help?
Yes. If you are a local court and have questions about the Reparations Rotary Payment Processing System, you may call the Treasurer of State at 614-466-2160. If you have questions about the legal aid filing fee surcharge call the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation at (800) 877-9772 (toll-free number).