All Divisions of the Common Pleas Court

1. General Changes

   • The Rules of Court may be temporarily adapted to allow the Court to operate with flexibility, within constitutional limits, in response to the Public Health Emergency.

   • Court security policies may be temporarily amended or supplemented to protect public health while maintaining essential court functions.

   • The Court will have the lawful authority, within constitutional limits, to do and direct to be done, all things necessary to ensure the orderly and efficient administration of justice for the duration of the declared public health emergency.

2. Access to the Courthouse

   • The Courthouse and Courtrooms remain open to the public.

3. Hearings

   • The Court authorizes the continued use of audio/visual devices and technologies at the sole discretion of the Court. Unrepresented parties and Attorneys shall file Form AC-011 Motion and Entry for Appearance by Audio/Video ( Word | PDF ). THE MOTION MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING UNLESS A BONA FIDE EMERGENCY EXISTS.

   • The public health emergency may be considered a finding of just cause for continuances deemed necessary by the Judge or Magistrate.

4. Filing Documents with the Court

   • YOU MAY SUBMIT SOME DOCUMENTS BY ELECTRONIC FILING BY FAX OR EMAIL. Contact the appropriate clerk's office for more information. If you file by EMAIL you MUST contact the Court immediately after sending to verify receipt.

General Division - Civil

1. Unrepresented parties and Attorneys shall file Form AC-011 Motion and Entry for Appearance by Audio/Video ( Word | PDF ). THE MOTION MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING UNLESS A BONA FIDE EMERGENCY EXISTS.

2. PAYMENT OF COURT FEES AND COSTS

   • Payment may be made at the court clerk window.

   • Payments may be mailed to: Adams County Clerk of Courts, 110 W Main Street, Second Floor Room #207, West Union, Ohio 45693; Phone: 937-544-2921

   • Payments made by personal check or money order may be placed in the Court's Drop Box at the main security entrance to the Courthouse. An envelope will be provided and you MUST put the case number, your name, and a phone number where you can be reached on the envelope.

   • Personal Checks and Money Orders Accepted. Returned checks may subject the person to additional processing costs and/or contempt. cash only accepted at the clerk's window.

   • Can pay with Debit/Credit Cards over the phone.

General Division - Criminal

1. At the Court's Discretion, Criminal arraignments may be held by video from the Adams County Jail, any institution of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, or any other facility.

2. PAYMENT OF COURT FEES AND COSTS

   • Payments may be mailed to: Adams County Clerk of Courts, 110 W Main Street, Second Floor Room #207, West Union, Ohio 45693; Phone: 937-544-2921

   • Payments made by personal check or money order may be placed in the Court's Drop Box at the main security entrance to the Courthouse. An envelope will be provided and you MUST put the case number, your name, and a phone number where you can be reached on the envelope.

   • Personal Checks and Money Orders Accepted. Returned checks may subject the person to additional processing costs and/or contempt. cash only accepted at the clerk's window.

   • Can pay with Debit/Credit Cards over the phone.

General Guidance on COVID-19 related Parenting Issues in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court

1. Spring Break and other breaks from school

   • The extended spring break originally ordered by the Governor DOES NOT extend the spring break period set forth in their parenting time orders. Only the originally scheduled spring break period in the child’s school district shall be considered spring break for parenting time orders (unless otherwise specified in the order). All other time periods affected by the closing of school buildings shall be treated as a normal school day pursuant to the parties’ parenting time schedule.

   • Summer break shall occur as set forth on a school district's original school schedule.

2. With respect to parenting time issues and the state-ordered school closures, parents who have shared parenting plans or custody orders shall continue to follow those orders to the best of their abilities and in the spirit intended by the Court. Parties should adhere to all holiday and break schedules as designated by their schools at the beginning of the school year regardless of recent changes. They should follow the regular parenting schedule during all other times unless their orders specifically address school closures. The parties should also communicate about the location, health, and welfare of the children daily and should discuss travel plans and arrangements as required by their parenting plans or custody orders.

3. Until further notice:

   • Updates will be posted on the Court’s website www.adamscountycourts.com

   • Paternity testing has resumed at Adams County CSEA.

Parents and litigants should not call the Court with questions about their specific orders. The Court Staff is prohibited from giving legal advice. If they have questions regarding their parenting orders they should contact an attorney.

Domestic Relations Division

1. Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders.

   • An Emergency Ex Parte order may be issued without in-person hearing based upon the petition filed.

2. Divorce / Dissolution New Filings

   • No forms are available at the Court. Forms are available on the Court's website. New filings will be accepted and appropriate hearings scheduled at the Court's discretion.

3. Post Decree New Filings

   • No forms are available at the Court. Forms are available on the Court's website. New filings will be accepted and appropriate hearings scheduled at the Court's discretion.

4. Parenting Seminars Click for more information

5. ALL CASES (In order to appear by audio/video - subject to Court Approval)

   • Persons represented by counsel MUST contact their counsel.

   • Unrepresented parties and Attorneys shall file Form AC-011 Motion and Entry for Appearance by Audio/Video ( Word | PDF ).

   • THE MOTION MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING UNLESS A BONA FIDE EMERGENCY EXISTS.

6. PAYMENT OF COURT FEES AND COSTS

   • Payments may be mailed to: Adams County Clerk of Courts, 110 W Main Street, Second Floor Room #207, West Union, Ohio 45693; Phone: 937-544-2921

   • Payments made by personal check or money order may be placed in the Court's Drop Box at the main security entrance to the Courthouse. An envelope will be provided and you MUST put the case number, your name, and a phone number where you can be reached on the envelope.

   • Personal Checks and Money Orders Accepted. Returned checks may subject the person to additional processing costs and/or contempt.

   • Cash payments only accepted at the clerk's window. Can pay with Debit/Credit Cards over the phone.

Juvenile Division

1. Custody

   • No forms are available at the Court. Forms are available on the Court's website. New filings will be accepted and appropriate hearings scheduled at the Court's discretion. It is preferred that documents are mailed to the Court.

   • Note: Pursuant to existing local rules, Private emergency hearings will generally NOT be scheduled. If a child is at risk of harm, Adams County Children's Services Board should be contacted at (937) 544-2511 so they may take appropriate action.

   • Parenting Seminars Click for more information

2. ALL CASES (In order to appear by audio/video - subject to Court Approval)

   • Persons represented by counsel MUST contact their counsel.

   • Unrepresented parties and Attorneys shall file Form AC-011 Motion and Entry for Appearance by Audio/Video ( Word | PDF ).

   • THE MOTION MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING UNLESS A BONA FIDE EMERGENCY EXISTS.

3. PAYMENT OF FEES AND COSTS

   • Payments may be mailed to: Adams County Juvenile Court, 110 W Main Street, Second Floor Room#222, West Union, Ohio 45693. Phone: 937-544-2921

   • Payments may be made in person or by personal check or money order placed in the Court's Drop Box at the main security entrance to the Courthouse. An envelope will be provided and you MUST put the case number, your name, and a phone number where you can be reached on the envelope.

   • Cash payments are only accepted at the window. Money Orders and Personal Checks are accepted. Returned checks may subject the person to additional processing costs and/or contempt.

Probate Division

1. Emergency Guardianships: Due to the restrictions on access to wards who may be in nursing homes, hospitals, or other medical facilities, there are significant restrictions to the ability to comply with existing laws and rules. These will be assessed on a case by case basis.

2. Forms are available on the website.

3. ALL CASES (In order to appear by audio/video - subject to Court Approval)

   • Persons represented by counsel MUST contact their counsel.

   • Unrepresented parties and Attorneys shall file Form AC-011 Motion and Entry for Appearance by Audio/Video ( Word | PDF ).

   • THE MOTION MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING UNLESS A BONA FIDE EMERGENCY EXISTS.

4. Marriage Licenses (Click Here)

5. PAYMENT OF FEES AND COSTS

   • Payments may be mailed to: Adams County Probate Court, 110 W Main Street, Second Floor Room#222, West Union, Ohio 45693. Phone: 937-544-2921

   • Payments may be made in person or by personal check or money order placed in the Court's Drop Box at the main security entrance to the Courthouse. An envelope will be provided and you MUST put the case number, your name, and a phone number where you can be reached on the envelope.

   • Cash payments are only accepted at the window. Money Orders and Personal Checks are accepted. Returned checks may subject the person to additional processing costs and/or contempt.

Child Support (Domestic and Juvenile ) CSEA Docket

1. Contempt Reviews: Obligors are ordered to contact their CSEA caseworker and not the Court regarding whether their appearance at Court is necessary. The Court will not accept requests for continuances by telephone.

2. Initial Contempt/Establishment/Modification hearings . All parties must appear unless told otherwise by the CSEA caseworker assigned to the case.

3. PAYMENT OF JUVENILE COURT FEES AND COSTS

   • Payments may be mailed to: Adams County Juvenile Court, 110 W Main Street, Second Floor Room#222, West Union, Ohio 45693. Phone: 937-544-2921

   • Payments may be made in person or by personal check or money order placed in the Court's Drop Box at the main security entrance to the Courthouse. An envelope will be provided and you MUST put the case number, your name, and a phone number where you can be reached on the envelope.

   • Cash payments are only accepted at the window. Money Orders and Personal Checks are accepted. Returned checks may subject the person to additional processing costs and/or contempt.