Since Ohio became a state in 1803, judicial systems required each county to have a Clerk of Courts as a County elected official, who was tasked to preserve records for future generations. In the interest of justice, it is important for Clerk offices to remain independent from the judges they serve. This separation prevents even the appearance of judicial bias. The Franklin County Clerk of Courts is an elected official. Clerk O’Shaughnessy is currently serving in her fourth four-year term.
Clerk O'Shaughnessy speaking to the Franklinton Area Commission.
In the Franklin County Clerk of Courts’ Office, approximately 200 full-time Deputy Clerks serve in five divisions: Auto Title, Legal, Fiscal Services, Information Technology, and Administration. Four of those divisions are in seven different offices in the Franklin County Courthouse complex. The fifth, Auto Title, is in four conveniently located branch offices throughout Franklin County. Each division is important to the Franklin County Clerk of Courts’ two major functions: management of court documents and issuance of auto titles.
Our Legal Division Deputy Clerks are responsible for receiving, receipting, managing, and retaining all legal documents filed through the Court of Common Pleas and the 10th District Court of Appeals.
Our Deputy Clerks execute their responsibilities in strict accordance with the record retention requirements established by Ohio law.
In 2023, the Legal Division processed 140,829 new cases in the Court of Common Pleas and 10th District Court of Appeals, up from 137,568 in 2022. Since the full implementation of e-Filing in 2012, our processing times have reduced from an average of three business days to one business day, with most filings processed in less than four business hours.
Our Auto Title Division Deputy Clerks manage titling which provides proof of vehicle ownership, with strict adherence to Ohio laws and rules. In 2023, our Auto Title Division processed 521,794 auto titles, up from 496,389 in 2022, with an average wait time of below six minutes. Since 2009, our busy Auto Title branches generated more than $10 million in funds that have been given to the County General Fund to help the Franklin County Commissioners continue to provide essential services to our residents.
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts is an equal opportunity employer and does not make employment decisions in a discriminatory manner based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability that can be reasonably accommodated, veteran status, or genetic information.
To maintain the integrity and accessibility of court documents and motor vehicle titles.
Our vision is to be the premier county clerk’s office in the State of Ohio by providing
TIMELY, ACCURATE and COURTEOUS service. This will be achieved by continuing to enhance customer service, invest in our employees’ growth and well-being, as well as use the latest technological advances.