Quick answer: Ohio probate filing fees are set by each county Probate Court and typically run from about $100 for a Release from Administration to $400+ for full administration. Notice-to-creditors publication and certified copies add smaller amounts.
Why Ohio filing fees vary by county
Ohio has no single statewide filing fee. Each of the state's 88 county Probate Courts sets its own schedule for opening the estate, recording documents, and issuing Letters of Authority. Urban counties — Franklin (Columbus), Cuyahoga (Cleveland), Hamilton (Cincinnati), Summit (Akron), Montgomery (Dayton), Lucas (Toledo) — may charge more than rural ones. The executor-fee statute is the same statewide; only the court filing fee moves.
What you pay depends on the type of administration
- Summary Release from Administration — cheapest, for very small estates ($5,000 or less).
- Release from Administration — next cheapest, for estates up to $35,000 ($100,000 spouse-only). Often around $100–$150.
- Full Administration — the standard route for larger estates; filing fees commonly $200–$400+.
| County (main city) | Typical full-administration filing fee |
|---|---|
| Franklin (Columbus) | ~$300–$400 |
| Cuyahoga (Cleveland) | ~$250–$350 |
| Hamilton (Cincinnati) | ~$250–$350 |
| Summit (Akron) | ~$200–$300 |
| Montgomery (Dayton) | ~$200–$300 |
| Lucas (Toledo) | ~$200–$300 |
| Most other Ohio counties | $100–$400 |
Typical ranges; each county sets and updates its own schedule. Confirm the exact fee with your county Probate Court before filing.
Other court-related costs
- Notice to creditors — publication in a local newspaper, roughly $75–$150 depending on the county and outlet.
- Certified copies — Letters of Authority run $3–$10 each; certified death certificates $20–$27 each.
- Bond — required unless the will waives it (a resident executor) or all beneficiaries consent; non-resident executors post bond regardless.
Where filing fees sit in the total
Filing fees are the smallest part of Ohio probate — the statutory executor fee and attorney fees dominate. See the whole picture in the Ohio probate cost breakdown, learn about attorney fees, or estimate your total with the Ohio probate cost calculator.