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Franklin Probate Court Records, Case Search, Certified Copies, Estates, Fees & e-Filing
Use this guide to find the correct Franklin County Probate Court path before you search a case, request certified records, file estate documents, use e-Filing, check court costs, or visit the Columbus courthouse.
Franklin Probate Court Quick Facts Before You Search
The correct official court is Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, Ohio. The court’s website provides General Case Search, Certified Records, Estates, Small Estates, Guardianship, Court Costs, Court Hours, Forms, and e-Filing help.
The official contact is 373 S. High Street, 22nd Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6311, phone (614) 525-3894, email probate@franklincountyohio.gov. Case search records are listed as current through the previous day, but certified copies and official record requests should still go through the court’s Certified Records process.
Use General Case Search
Search by case name, case open date, case number/suffix, case type/subtype, attorney, fiduciary, parent name fields, or chiropractic register.
Use Certified Records
Use this path for certified copies, paper copies, CD copies, record searches, marriage abstracts, and older record questions.
e-Filing is mandatory
The court says e-Filing is mandatory for all Probate Court case types. If a case already exists, use Existing Cases instead of opening a new case.
Choose the Franklin Probate Court Step You Actually Need
Franklin Probate Court users often need different official pages. Pick your task first so you do not confuse probate case search with certified copies, estate forms, guardianship filings, marriage records, Municipal Court, or the Common Pleas General Division.
Search a probate case, estate, trust or guardianship record
Case name, open date, case number, case type, attorney, fiduciary, parent name, or probate index search.
Open Franklin County Probate Court’s General Case Search page.
The court says records are current as of the previous day and some case types are confidential.
How to Search Franklin Probate Court Records Online
The official General Case Search page lets users search the Probate General Case Index. The court says records provided through case search are current as of the previous day’s date. If the search is unavailable, the court notes routine backup may occur each weekday evening between 10 PM and 2 AM and randomly during weekends.
Open the official General Case Search
Use Franklin County Probate Court’s official search page, not a private background-check or paid record website.
Choose the strongest search method
Search by case name, open date, case number/suffix, case type/subtype, attorney name, fiduciary name, mother’s name, father’s name, or chiropractic register when applicable.
Use the correct case type code
The official search lists examples such as E for Estate, C for Civil, T for Trust, GA for Adult Guardianship, GM for Minor Guardianship, M for Miscellaneous, and ST for Sentinel Trusts.
Do not treat search results as certified records
A search result may help identify a case, but banks, title companies, agencies, attorneys, or estate parties may need certified copies, letters, orders, or official documents.
Search warning: Minor-related matters, confidential records, adoptions, mental illness records, developmental disability records, and some court filings may not be publicly viewable. Use the court’s Certified Records process when you need a reliable document.
Certified Records, Copies and Record Search Requests
The Certified Records department maintains records for matters filed with the court, including estates, guardianships, name changes, marriage licenses, and other actions. The court states that some records are confidential by law and are not open for public inspection, including adoption, mental illness, and developmental disability records.
Historical and probate records
The court lists birth and death records for Franklin County from 1867 through 1908, marriage records from 1803 to present, and estate, guardianship, and name-change records from 1898 to present.
Hard copy, film and images
Records may exist as hard-copy originals, microfilm, microfiche, or electronic images depending on age. Most filings received on or after August 2, 1998 have electronic images.
Email or mail
Record searches may be requested by U.S. Mail or email at probate@franklincountyohio.gov. A Deputy Clerk contacts the requester about cost.
Copy costs listed by the court
Mail request address: Franklin County Probate Court, ATTN: Certified Desk, 373 South High Street, 22nd Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6311. Include enough detail for the court to identify the record and wait for the Deputy Clerk’s cost response when applicable.
Franklin County Estates e-Filing Guide: Details Users Miss
The official Estates e-Filing Guide applies to all decedent’s estates, including testate and intestate estates, full administration, releases from administration, summary releases, and real-estate-only filings. These PDF details are important because they prevent rejected filings, missing wills, wrong signatures, and wrong certification assumptions.
Every document in an upload must be acceptable
The guide says the e-Filing system does not allow staff to partially accept or reject a package. If one filing in the upload cannot be accepted, the whole package may be rejected.
Filing acceptance is not legal approval
The PDF warns that the court’s acceptance of a document for filing does not signify approval of the substance of the document. A filed document is not a guarantee that your probate request is legally correct.
Proposed entries may need separate upload
The guide explains that many Franklin County forms were modified for e-Filing. Many pleadings formerly on one page are now divided into two separate pages, and proposed entries should include “Signature Page Attached” above the judge’s signature line.
Some estate documents are automatically certified
Documents such as entries relieving estate from administration, entries transferring motor vehicle title, certificates of transfer, and letters of authority may be automatically certified on initial issuance depending on the document.
PDF audit note: Always use current Franklin County forms and court instructions. Do not file older Ohio probate forms without checking whether Franklin County has modified the form or requires a separate proposed entry.
Opening an Estate, Probate Assets and Original Will Rules
The Estates page explains that estate administration is the process of collecting, maintaining, and distributing a person’s assets among creditors, heirs, and beneficiaries according to the person’s will and Ohio law. Some assets transfer outside probate, such as trust assets, joint and survivorship property, payable-on-death accounts, transfer-on-death property, life insurance, and retirement benefits.
Minimum and recommended deposits
The court lists full administration required deposit at $125 and recommended deposit at $250. The official costs page also notes the $125 minimum deposit does not cover letters of authority.
14 calendar day rule
The Estates e-Filing Guide says e-file users must submit the original will to Probate Court within 14 calendar days from the date the application is accepted. If it is not received by the fourteenth day, the application may be dismissed.
Do not use ordinary mail
The PDF says the original will should be submitted only by hand delivery, certified U.S. mail, or a commercial mail carrier that requires signature. Keep a copy and tracking number.
Will index reminder: The guide says each applicant must review the Probate Court’s index of wills on deposit for all new filings, even if the filer believes the estate is intestate.
Franklin County Small Estate and Release From Administration Help
The Small Estates page explains that one small-estate path may apply when the surviving spouse inherits the entire estate and the gross estate is less than $100,000, while another may apply when someone other than a surviving spouse inherits and the entire gross estate is less than $35,000. Eligibility depends on assets, debts, beneficiaries, notice, creditor issues, and Ohio probate requirements.
$100,000 / $35,000 limits
The page lists the monetary limit as $100,000 for the surviving spouse and $35,000 for anyone else. Do not assume eligibility until all probate assets are known.
Funeral expense route
A non-spouse who paid or is obligated to pay funeral and burial expenses may apply if assets do not exceed the lesser of $5,000 or the funeral/burial expense amount. Spouse rules may differ.
What the court asks for
The court lists items such as government ID, original will, complete forms packet, certified death certificate, proof of funeral payment, and asset verification.
Small estate warning: Small estate does not mean “no paperwork.” The court says all probate assets must be reported on the initial application and interested parties may need notice.
Franklin County Guardianship and Conservatorship Basics
The Guardianship page explains that a guardianship is a court-ordered relationship in which a guardian acts on behalf of the ward. Guardianship may be for the estate, for the person, or for both. The court also states it will not establish a minor guardianship for school purposes only.
Training requirement
The court notes that adult guardians must receive 6 hours of fundamental education after appointment and 3 hours of continuing education each year thereafter.
Letters of Authority
The Guardianship page says all fees must be paid before Letters of Authority will be issued.
Superior guardian
The page explains that by law the Probate Court is the superior guardian and all guardians must obey the court’s orders concerning the guardianship.
Common guardianship costs listed by the court
Franklin Probate Court Costs, Payment Rules and Visit Timing
Use official cost guidance before paying, filing, or requesting copies. The court states that in-person payments are available for limited transactions including marriage license, placing a will on deposit, or copies. If your court business requires payment, plan to arrive no later than 4:00 p.m.
Common costs listed by the court
2.5% transaction fee
Credit/debit transactions made in Probate Court are subject to a 2.5% transaction fee with a minimum fee of $2.00. Transaction fees are non-refundable.
3% transaction fee
All e-Filing payments must be made with a credit or debit card and are subject to a 3% transaction fee. Transaction fees are non-refundable.
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The court is open Monday through Friday except legal holidays. Cashiers close at 4:30 p.m., and payment-related business should arrive by 4:00 p.m.
Franklin Probate Court Forms and e-Filing Rules
The court’s Forms page explains that users should search the form box on the Forms page because that is the only search that searches documents. The home page also notes 2026 changes to Franklin County Probate Court forms, so do not rely on an older saved PDF or another county’s packet.
All Probate Court case types
The e-Filing page says e-Filing is mandatory for all Probate Court case types. If a case is already pending, the page instructs users not to file a new case; choose Existing Cases, enter the case number, and use the eFile button.
Filer is responsible
The e-Filing page includes a redaction responsibility notice for personal identifiers and confidential information. Do not upload private information without checking applicable rules and forms.
PDF and Word needs
The e-Filing FAQ says users need the ability to save documents as PDF and MS Word formats for proposed orders or entries. A scanner may be needed for non-PDF or non-Word documents.
Notary notice: If a signer is physically located in Ohio and uses an online notary, the notary must be licensed in Ohio and located within Ohio during notarization.
What Franklin Probate Court Records May Help You Confirm
A probate search result can help you identify a case, but it is not the same as a certified record. Use the table below to match the record type to the right official action.
Official Franklin Probate Court Links
Use these official sources first. They are included after the explanation because each solves a specific user task: search, copies, costs, e-Filing, forms, estates, small estates, guardianship, or court visit planning.
Franklin Probate Court Map and Contact Details
Franklin County Probate Court lists its address as 373 S. High Street, 22nd Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6311. Confirm department location, payment deadlines, document needs, and appointment requirements before visiting.
Franklin County Probate Court
373 S. High Street
22nd Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6311
Phone: (614) 525-3894
Email: probate@franklincountyohio.gov
Plan around payment cutoffs
The court is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday except legal holidays. If your court business requires payment, plan to arrive no later than 4:00 p.m.; cashiers close at 4:30 p.m.
Franklin County Probate Court — Columbus, Ohio
Address: 373 S. High Street, 22nd Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6311
Why Users Get Franklin Probate Court Searches Wrong
Using Municipal or General Division search
Probate case search is not the same as Municipal Court search or Common Pleas General Division case information. Use Franklin County Probate Court for probate matters.
Relying on a search result as a certified copy
Online case information may help identify a case, but official use often requires certified copies, letters, orders, or records from the Certified Records department.
Using old PDFs after 2026 form changes
The official site announced form changes in 2026. Use the current Forms page and e-Filing instructions before submitting probate paperwork.
Sending original wills by ordinary mail
The Estates e-Filing Guide says original wills should be submitted by hand delivery, certified U.S. mail, or a commercial carrier requiring signature.
Useful Related ProbateCourtUSA.org Guides
These internal links are included because they help Ohio probate users compare case-search patterns, forms, estate filings and court-specific rules. For Franklin County action, still use the Franklin County Probate Court sources above.
Franklin Probate Court FAQs
Where is Franklin County Probate Court located?
Franklin County Probate Court is located at 373 S. High Street, 22nd Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6311. The court lists phone (614) 525-3894 and email probate@franklincountyohio.gov.
How do I search Franklin Probate Court records?
Use the official General Case Search page on the Franklin County Probate Court website. You can search by case name, case open date, case number/suffix, case type/subtype, attorney name, fiduciary name, parent name fields and other listed search methods.
Are Franklin Probate Court records current online?
The court says records provided through General Case Search are current as of the previous day’s date. If the search is unavailable, routine backup may be occurring during the stated evening or weekend periods.
How do I request certified records from Franklin Probate Court?
Use the Certified Records department. Record searches may be requested by U.S. Mail or email at probate@franklincountyohio.gov. A Deputy Clerk contacts you regarding the cost.
What are Franklin Probate Court copy costs?
The court lists certified copies at $1.00 per page, regular paper copies at $0.10 per page, regular copies on CD at $1.00 per CD, and certified marriage abstracts at $2.00 per copy.
Is e-Filing mandatory in Franklin Probate Court?
Yes. The court’s e-Filing page states that e-Filing is mandatory for all Probate Court case types. If a case is already pending, use Existing Cases rather than filing a new case.
What is the original will rule for Franklin County estate e-Filing?
The Estates e-Filing Guide says an original will must be submitted to Probate Court within 14 calendar days from the date the application is accepted. It says not to submit original wills by ordinary mail.
What are Franklin County small estate limits?
The court’s Small Estates page lists a $100,000 limit when the surviving spouse inherits the entire estate and a $35,000 limit when someone other than a surviving spouse inherits the entire gross estate. Eligibility depends on probate assets and other requirements.
What are Franklin Probate Court hours?
The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except legal holidays. Payment-related court business should arrive by 4:00 p.m.; cashiers close at 4:30 p.m.
Can court employees give legal advice?
No. The court states that legal practice in Probate Court is restricted by law to attorneys licensed by the Supreme Court of Ohio and that court employees cannot give legal advice.
Best Next Step for Franklin Probate Court Help
For Franklin County, Ohio probate matters, use this order: open official General Case Search for basic case identification, use Certified Records when you need an official copy, use Estates or Small Estates pages before filing estate paperwork, use current Forms and e-Filing instructions, and check Court Costs and Hours before paying or visiting.
This page is an independent informational guide published for ProbateCourtUSA.org. It is not Franklin County Probate Court, Franklin County, Ohio Courts, a court office, or a law firm. Always verify urgent or official matters directly with the court or a qualified Ohio attorney.