Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure – 2026

The Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure govern civil cases in Ohio courts. They cover how lawsuits are filed, how parties exchange information before trial, and how trials and judgments are handled.

Last updated April 04, 2026

Browse all 90 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Title I: Scope of Rules—One Form of Action

Rule 1 Scope of Rules: Applicability; Construction; Exceptions Rule 1.1 Definitions Rule 2 One Form of Action

Title II: Commencement of Action and Venue; Service of Process; Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers Subsequent to the Original Complaint; Time

Rule 3 Commencement of Action; Venue Rule 4 Process: Summons Rule 4.1 Process: Methods of Service Rule 4.2 Process: Who May be Served Rule 4.3 Process: Out-of-State Service Rule 4.4 Process: Service by Publication Rule 4.5 Process: Alternative Provisions for Service in a Foreign Country Rule 4.6 Process: Limits; Amendment; Service Refused; Service Unclaimed Rule 4.7 Process: Waiving Service Rule 5 Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers Subsequent to the Original Rule 6 Time

Title III: Pleadings and Motions

Rule 7 Pleadings and Motions Rule 8 General Rules of Pleading Rule 9 Pleading Special Matters Rule 10 Form of Pleadings Rule 11 Signing of Pleadings, Motions, or Other Documents Rule 12 Defenses and Objections--When and How Presented--by Pleading or Motion- Rule 13 Counterclaim and Cross-Claim Rule 14 Third Party Practice Rule 15 Amended and Supplemental Pleadings Rule 16 Pretrial Procedure

Title IV: Parties

Rule 17 Parties Plaintiff and Defendant; Capacity Rule 18 Joinder of Claims and Remedies Rule 19 Joinder of Persons Needed for Just Adjudication Rule 19.1 Compulsory Joinder Rule 20 Permissive Joinder of Parties Rule 21 Misjoinder and Nonjoinder of Parties Rule 22 Interpleader Rule 23 Class Actions Rule 23.1 Derivative Actions by Shareholders Rule 24 Intervention Rule 25 Substitution of Parties

Title V: Discovery

Rule 26 General Provisions Governing Discovery Rule 27 Perpetuation of Testimony--Depositions Before Action or Pending Appeal Rule 28 Persons Before Whom Depositions May be Taken Rule 29 Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure Rule 30 Depositions Upon Oral Examination Rule 31 Depositions of Witnesses Upon Written Questions Rule 32 Use of Depositions in Court Proceedings Rule 33 Interrogatories to Parties Rule 34 Producing Documents, Electronically Stored Information, and Tangible Rule 35 Physical and Mental Examination of Persons Rule 36 Requests for Admission Rule 37 Failure to Make Discovery, Disclosures, or Participate in Discovery-Related

Title VI: Trials

Rule 38 Jury Trial of Right Rule 39 Trial by Jury or by the Court Rule 40 Pre-Recorded Testimony Rule 41 Dismissal of Actions Rule 42 Consolidation; Separate Trials Rule 43 Taking Testimony Rule 44 Proof of Official Record Rule 44.1 Judicial Notice of Certain Law; Determination of Foreign Law Rule 45 Subpoena Rule 46 Exceptions Unnecessary Rule 47 Jurors Rule 48 Juries: Majority Verdict; Stipulation of Number of Jurors Rule 49 Verdicts; Interrogatories Rule 50 Motion for a Directed Verdict, for Judgment, or for Judgment Rule 51 Instructions to the Jury; Objection Rule 52 Findings by the Court Rule 53 Magistrates

Title VII: Judgment

Rule 54 Judgments; Costs Rule 55 Default Rule 56 Summary Judgment Rule 57 Declaratory Judgments Rule 58 Entry of Judgment Rule 59 New Trials Rule 60 Relief From Judgment or Order Rule 61 Harmless Error Rule 62 Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment Rule 63 Disability of a Judge

Title VIII: Provisional and Final Remedies

Rule 64 Seizure of Person or Property Rule 65 Injunctions Rule 65.1 Civil Protection Orders Rule 66 Receivers Rule 68 Offer of Judgment Rule 69 Execution Rule 70 Judgment for Specific Acts; Vesting Title Rule 71 Process in Behalf of and Against Persons Not Parties

Title IX: Probate, Juvenile, and Domestic Relations Proceedings

Rule 73 Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas Rule 75 Divorce, Annulment, and Legal Separation Actions Rule 81 References to Ohio Revised Code

Title X: General Provisions

Rule 82 Jurisdiction Unaffected Rule 83 Rule of Court Rule 84 Forms Rule 85 Title Rule 86 Effective Date

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure cover?

The Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure govern how civil lawsuits are handled in Ohio state courts, from the moment a case is filed through trial and final judgment. They set the rules for things like serving legal papers on the other party, exchanging evidence before trial through discovery, and how motions and hearings are conducted. These rules apply in Ohio's common pleas courts and, in many cases, in municipal and county courts as well.

How are the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure different from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure?

The Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure apply to civil cases in Ohio state courts, while the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure govern cases filed in U.S. federal courts. Although Ohio modeled its rules closely on the federal rules when they were adopted, the two sets have differences that have grown over time, so you cannot assume a rule works the same way in both systems. If your case is in an Ohio state court, you will want to follow Ohio Civ.R., not the federal rules.

Where in the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure can I find rules about discovery?

Discovery topics, including depositions, written interrogatories, requests for documents, and requests for admission, are covered in Rules 26 through 37. Rule 26 gives a general overview of the scope of discovery, while the rules that follow address each specific discovery method in more detail. If you are looking for rules about physical or mental examinations of a party, or sanctions for failing to participate in discovery, those are also found in this range.