An Ohio Writ of Restitution is the court order that gives a landlord legal authority to have a tenant physically removed from a rental property after winning an eviction judgment under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1923. The form is filed by the prevailing landlord (or their attorney) with the clerk of the same municipal or county court that issued the judgment for restitution of the premises, and it directs the bailiff or sheriff to execute the eviction within a set window.
Ohio courts process roughly 100,000 eviction cases each year, and according to the Ohio Poverty Law Center tracking data, more than 60% of judgments for restitution result in a writ being requested. A writ filled out incorrectly — wrong unit number, missing case number, or a praecipe filed before the 10-day appeal window expires — gets rejected by the clerk and can delay the set-out by two to four weeks while rent arrears keep climbing.
Here is what this guide covers:
- 📝 The exact line-by-line walkthrough of the Praecipe for Writ of Restitution and the writ itself
- 🏛️ Where to get the form for every major Ohio court, including Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Lucas, Summit, and Montgomery counties
- 💵 Current bailiff fees, court costs, and accepted payment methods by filing channel
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes that get a writ rejected or delayed, and how to avoid each one
- ✅ Three full filled-out examples covering nonpayment, holdover, Section 8, commercial, and post-foreclosure scenarios
What the Writ of Restitution Is and Who Files It
The Writ of Restitution is the enforcement order issued under R.C. 1923.13 and R.C. 1923.14 after a court enters a judgment for restitution of the premises in a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) action. The judgment alone does not let a landlord change the locks. The writ is the separate, post-judgment document that commands the bailiff or sheriff to physically restore possession to the landlord.
Only the prevailing party in the eviction — almost always the landlord or property manager — may file a praecipe asking the clerk to issue the writ. Tenants do not file this form. Attorneys file it on behalf of corporate landlords, and pro se landlords (individual owners representing themselves) file it directly with the clerk. The Ohio Supreme Court’s self-help center confirms that pro se landlords make up about 40% of FED filings statewide.
The form sits at the intersection of three actors: the clerk of court (issues the writ), the bailiff or sheriff (executes it), and the landlord (requests it and pays the fees). Each county handles the mechanics a little differently, but the underlying authority is the same statewide statute. Miss the statutory 10-day stay period under R.C. 1923.14(A), and the writ is void on its face.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out the praecipe goes faster when every supporting document is already in front of you. Missing a single item can send you back to the courthouse twice.
- Case number from the FED judgment. Without the exact case number printed on the judgment entry, the clerk cannot link the praecipe to the right docket and the filing is rejected on intake.
- Certified copy of the Judgment Entry for Restitution. The clerk verifies that a first-cause judgment actually exists before issuing the writ, and a missing entry stalls the file.
- Proof of service of the 3-day notice. Required under R.C. 1923.04, this notice must be attached to the original complaint, and some clerks reverify it at the writ stage.
- Full legal property address with unit number. A wrong apartment letter sends the bailiff to the neighbor’s door and produces a void execution.
- Tenant’s full legal name(s) exactly as written on the judgment. Name mismatches between the judgment and the writ trigger rejection because the bailiff cannot lawfully remove a person not named.
- Landlord or plaintiff contact information. The bailiff calls the landlord the morning of the set-out to confirm, and a wrong number cancels the appointment.
- Bailiff fee payment. Fees range from $45 in smaller municipal courts to $150+ in Franklin County Municipal Court, and the writ will not issue until the fee clears.
- Mover or labor crew lined up. Many counties (including Cuyahoga and Franklin) require the landlord to supply movers on set-out day, and showing up without a crew cancels the writ.
- Storage plan for tenant belongings. R.C. 1923.14(B) lets the landlord place property at the curb, but local ordinances in cities like Cleveland and Columbus may require off-site storage.
- Date the 10-day appeal window expires. Courts will not issue the writ before this date passes, so calculating it correctly avoids a wasted trip.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Ohio does not publish a single statewide Writ of Restitution form. Instead, each municipal or county court that hears FED cases publishes its own praecipe and writ. The Ohio Supreme Court Forms page hosts model forms, but the operative version is always the local court’s.
In central Ohio, landlords pull the form from the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk. In northeast Ohio, Cleveland Municipal Court Housing Division hosts its own praecipe. Hamilton County landlords use the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts eviction packet, while Lucas County filers use the Toledo Municipal Court form. Summit County filers download the praecipe from the Akron Municipal Court, and Montgomery County uses the Dayton Municipal Court version.
Most courts post the praecipe as a fillable PDF. The revision date appears in the lower corner of the form — Franklin County’s current version is dated Rev. 03/2024, and filers should confirm they are using the current revision before printing. Older revisions get rejected because they may reference superseded fee schedules or outdated statutory citations.
You can also pick up a paper copy at the clerk’s window. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and the Legal Aid Society of Columbus keep blank praecipes on hand for pro se landlords as a courtesy, though they primarily serve tenants.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Ohio Writ of Restitution Line by Line
The praecipe is short — usually one page — but every field carries weight. The walkthrough below uses the Franklin County Municipal Court Praecipe for Writ of Restitution as the reference template because it mirrors the structure used in most Ohio courts.
Caption: Court Name and Division
What the field asks in plain English. The very top of the praecipe asks which court issued the underlying judgment.
How to answer it. Type the full court name in capital letters exactly as it appears on the judgment entry, including the division (e.g., FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT — ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION).
A specific example answer. Marcus Bell, a small landlord in Columbus, writes FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT across the top line of his praecipe.
A nuance or edge case. If the eviction was filed in a county court rather than a municipal court (common in rural townships), the caption must read [County Name] COUNTY COURT, not municipal court — using the wrong division voids the praecipe.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers copy the caption from the complaint instead of the judgment, and if the case was transferred, the caption is now wrong, which causes the clerk to bounce the praecipe at intake.
A misconception people hold about this field. Many landlords think the caption is just decorative. It is not — the clerk uses the caption to route the praecipe to the correct judge’s docket.
Case Number
What the field asks in plain English. The case number is the unique docket number assigned when the eviction complaint was filed.
How to answer it. Copy the number exactly, including the year prefix and any letter suffix (e.g., 2026 CVG 012345). Do not add spaces or omit leading zeros.
A specific example answer. Priya Shah enters 2026 CVG 008721 in the case number box of her praecipe filed in Cleveland Municipal Court.
A nuance or edge case. Some courts use CVG for FED actions and CVH for housing court matters — copying the wrong suffix routes the file to the wrong docket.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers transpose digits and the clerk’s system returns “case not found,” forcing a re-file.
A misconception people hold about this field. Landlords sometimes think any case number from prior litigation works. Only the FED case number that produced the restitution judgment is valid here.
Plaintiff Name(s)
What the field asks in plain English. This box names the landlord or property owner who won the judgment.
How to answer it. Enter the plaintiff’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the judgment entry. For LLCs, include the entity suffix (Bell Properties LLC). For individuals, include first, middle, and last names.
A specific example answer. Bell Properties LLC appears on the judgment, so Marcus writes Bell Properties LLC — not Bell Properties — in the plaintiff field.
A nuance or edge case. If the property changed hands between judgment and writ, the new owner cannot simply write their own name; they must first file a motion to substitute parties under Ohio Civil Rule 25.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers shorten the LLC name, and the bailiff refuses to execute the writ because the named plaintiff does not match the judgment.
A misconception people hold about this field. Some landlords believe a property manager can be the plaintiff. The plaintiff must be the legal owner or lessor of record, not the management company, unless the management company is the lessor on the lease.
Defendant Name(s)
What the field asks in plain English. This identifies the tenant or tenants the bailiff will remove.
How to answer it. List every tenant named on the judgment, separated by commas. Include “and all other occupants” if the judgment used that phrase.
A specific example answer. Janet Kowalski, a landlord in Akron, enters Diego Ramirez and Aisha Thompson, and all other occupants in the defendant field.
A nuance or edge case. If a new occupant moved in after the complaint was filed, the bailiff still cannot remove them unless “and all other occupants” was included in the original complaint and judgment.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers list only the lease signer and skip co-occupants, and the bailiff leaves the unnamed occupants in place, which forces a second eviction.
A misconception people hold about this field. Landlords assume children listed on the lease must be named. They should not be — minors are removed with the named parent, not as separate defendants.
Property Address
What the field asks in plain English. This is the exact address of the rental unit the writ covers.
How to answer it. Write the full street number, street name, unit or apartment letter, city, county, and ZIP code. Spell out direction prefixes (North, South) if the judgment did.
A specific example answer. 2147 North High Street, Apt. 3B, Columbus, Franklin County, OH 43201 is what Marcus enters because that is exactly how the lease and judgment list the unit.
A nuance or edge case. For multi-building complexes, include the building letter (Bldg. C) — leaving it off has caused bailiffs to set out the wrong tenant in cases like Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority v. Doe.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers omit the unit number on multi-family buildings, and the bailiff cancels the set-out on arrival because the writ is ambiguous.
A misconception people hold about this field. Some landlords think the mailing address from the lease is enough. The physical location address is what the bailiff uses, and the two are sometimes different (especially for properties with PO Box mailing).
Date of Judgment
What the field asks in plain English. The date the court entered the first-cause judgment for restitution.
How to answer it. Use MM/DD/YYYY format and copy the date stamped on the judgment entry — not the trial date, not the date you received the entry.
A specific example answer. Priya’s judgment was filed on 04/14/2026, so she writes 04/14/2026 in the date field.
A nuance or edge case. If the judge granted judgment from the bench but the entry was signed later, use the file-stamp date on the written entry, not the bench-ruling date.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers use the trial date, and the clerk calculates the 10-day appeal window from the wrong day, issuing the writ too early or too late.
A misconception people hold about this field. Many landlords think the 10-day stay starts the day they get the entry in the mail. It starts the day the entry is file-stamped by the clerk under Ohio Civil Rule 58.
Praecipe Statement / Request Language
What the field asks in plain English. The body paragraph asking the clerk to issue the writ.
How to answer it. Most courts pre-print this language. The filer just confirms it reads: “To the Clerk: Please issue a Writ of Restitution to the Bailiff in the above-captioned matter.” If a blank praecipe, type that exact sentence.
A specific example answer. Diego Ramirez (acting as plaintiff in a different case) types the standard request line word-for-word into the body of his Hamilton County praecipe.
A nuance or edge case. If the landlord wants the bailiff to remove personal property to the curb (a “set-out”) rather than just lock-change (“red tag”), some courts require an extra checkbox or sentence specifying “with set-out”.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers leave the request language blank on a fill-in-the-blank praecipe, and the clerk treats the praecipe as incomplete.
A misconception people hold about this field. Landlords think this is boilerplate they can edit. Editing the request language can cause the clerk to reject the form for departing from court-approved wording.
Plaintiff or Attorney Signature, Address, and Phone
What the field asks in plain English. The bottom block where the requesting party signs and provides contact information.
How to answer it. Sign in blue or black ink (or apply an e-signature for e-filed documents), print your name, list your mailing address, daytime phone, and email. Attorneys add their Ohio Supreme Court attorney registration number.
A specific example answer. Aisha Thompson, a pro se landlord, signs Aisha Thompson, prints Aisha Thompson, lists PO Box 442, Toledo, OH 43604, (419) 555-0142, and aisha@example.com.
A nuance or edge case. If the landlord is an LLC, an authorized member must sign and indicate their title (Member) — an unsigned or improperly-signed LLC praecipe is treated as unauthorized practice of law in some Ohio courts under Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Pearlman.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers forget to print their name under the signature, and the clerk cannot read the signature and rejects the filing.
A misconception people hold about this field. Some landlords think a property manager can sign for the LLC. Only an officer, member, or licensed Ohio attorney may sign, per Ohio’s unauthorized practice of law rules.
Bailiff Instructions Sheet (Attachment)
What the field asks in plain English. Most counties require a separate sheet telling the bailiff exactly what the unit looks like, where to park, and who to call.
How to answer it. Fill in landlord cell number, gate codes, the unit’s location within the building, mover crew name, and any safety notes (dogs, weapons history, mental health concerns).
A specific example answer. Marcus writes “Unit 3B is on the third floor, walk-up. Park in the alley off East 18th. Crew: Two Men and a Truck arriving 8:00 a.m. No known weapons. Tenant has a small dog.”
A nuance or edge case. Cuyahoga County Sheriff requires a 72-hour pre-call to confirm the set-out — skipping the call cancels the appointment automatically.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers leave the cell phone field blank, and the bailiff cannot reach them on set-out morning, so the writ is returned unexecuted.
A misconception people hold about this field. Landlords think this sheet is optional. In most Ohio counties, the writ will not be scheduled without it.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Marcus Bell — Nonpayment in a Single-Family Rental
Marcus owns one rental house in Columbus and his tenant stopped paying in February 2026. He won a default judgment on April 14, 2026, and is filing the praecipe on April 25.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Court Caption | FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT |
| Case Number | 2026 CVG 008721 |
| Plaintiff | Bell Properties LLC |
| Defendant | Tyrone Walker, and all other occupants |
| Property Address | 2147 North High Street, Columbus, Franklin County, OH 43201 |
| Date of Judgment | 04/14/2026 |
| Request Language | Please issue a Writ of Restitution to the Bailiff |
| Set-Out Type | With set-out (curbside) |
| Signature Block | Marcus Bell, Member, Bell Properties LLC, (614) 555-0199 |
| Bailiff Sheet | Single-family home; key under mat; no pets; movers booked 8 a.m. |
Scenario 2: Priya Shah — Holdover After 30-Day Notice in a Multi-Unit Building
Priya manages a 12-unit apartment building in Cleveland and served a 30-day termination notice plus a 3-day notice. She won judgment on April 14, 2026.
| Form Section | What Priya Enters |
|---|---|
| Court Caption | CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL COURT — HOUSING DIVISION |
| Case Number | 2026 CVG 014902 |
| Plaintiff | Lakeview Holdings LLC |
| Defendant | Sandra Mitchell and James Mitchell, and all other occupants |
| Property Address | 4418 Detroit Avenue, Apt. 7, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH 44102 |
| Date of Judgment | 04/14/2026 |
| Request Language | Please issue a Writ of Restitution to the Bailiff |
| Set-Out Type | Red tag only — landlord will store property |
| Signature Block | Priya Shah, authorized agent, (216) 555-0144 |
| Bailiff Sheet | Building has secured entry; buzz #7; on-site mover crew confirmed |
Scenario 3: Janet Kowalski — Section 8 Tenant in Akron
Janet rents to a HUD Section 8 voucher holder in Akron and won judgment on May 1, 2026, after filing the proper HUD pre-eviction notice.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Court Caption | AKRON MUNICIPAL COURT |
| Case Number | 2026 CVG 005512 |
| Plaintiff | Janet Kowalski |
| Defendant | Carla Jenkins, and all other occupants |
| Property Address | 882 Goodyear Boulevard, Akron, Summit County, OH 44305 |
| Date of Judgment | 05/01/2026 |
| Request Language | Please issue a Writ of Restitution to the Bailiff |
| Set-Out Type | With set-out |
| HUD Notice Attached | Yes — 30-day HUD notice attached as Exhibit A |
| Signature Block | Janet Kowalski, pro se, (330) 555-0177 |
How to File the Completed Form
Ohio courts accept the praecipe through three main channels, and the right one depends on the county. Filers should always keep a stamped copy as proof of filing.
Online e-filing. Franklin County, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas, and a growing number of municipal courts accept e-filed praecipes through their online portals. Fees range from $45 to $150 and are paid by credit card or ACH. Processing time is usually 24 to 72 hours, and the filer downloads the file-stamped writ as a PDF.
By mail. Send the signed praecipe, bailiff instruction sheet, and a check or money order made out to Clerk of Courts to the clerk’s mailing address (e.g., Hamilton County Clerk, 1000 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202). Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the file-stamped copy. Mail processing takes 5 to 10 business days.
In person at the clerk’s window. Walk-in filing is the fastest and most common channel for pro se landlords. The clerk file-stamps the praecipe in front of you and issues the writ to the bailiff the same day in many counties. Cash, certified check, money order, and credit cards (with surcharge) are accepted at most counters.
Fax filing. A small number of rural county courts still accept faxed praecipes under Ohio Civil Rule 5(E), but the original must follow by mail within seven days. Confirm with the clerk before relying on this channel.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk issues the writ, it goes to the bailiff or sheriff’s civil division for scheduling. In Franklin County, the bailiff’s office typically schedules the set-out within 5 to 10 business days. Cuyahoga County runs 7 to 14 days, and rural counties can stretch to 21 days during busy seasons.
The bailiff calls the landlord 24 to 72 hours before the set-out to confirm the appointment, the mover crew, and the landlord’s presence on site. On set-out day, the bailiff knocks, announces the writ, removes any occupants, and supervises while the landlord’s crew either changes the locks (red tag) or moves belongings to the curb (set-out).
Under R.C. 1923.14(C), the writ must be executed within a window the issuing court specifies — typically 10 days. If the writ is not executed in that window, it expires and the landlord must file a new praecipe and pay the fee again. The landlord also files a return of writ confirming execution, which closes the file.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing before the 10-day stay expires. The clerk will reject the praecipe under R.C. 1923.14(A), and the landlord loses the filing fee.
- Misnaming the plaintiff LLC. A name mismatch between judgment and praecipe forces the bailiff to abort, costing a reschedule fee and 7 to 14 days.
- Omitting the unit number. The bailiff cancels the set-out at the door, and the writ must be amended.
- Skipping co-occupants. Unnamed occupants stay put, requiring a second eviction.
- Using an outdated form revision. Old praecipes get rejected at intake.
- Wrong case number suffix. CVG vs. CVH misrouting delays issuance.
- Forgetting the bailiff instruction sheet. No sheet means no scheduling in most counties.
- No mover crew booked. Bailiffs cancel on arrival if the crew is missing.
- Wrong judgment date. Triggers premature filing and a void writ.
- Unsigned LLC praecipe. Treated as unauthorized practice of law.
- Failing to pay the bailiff fee. The writ sits unissued until cleared.
- Ignoring HUD pre-eviction notice for Section 8. Federal preemption voids the writ.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do verify the form revision date matches the current version posted at your court’s clerk page.
- Do calendar the 10-day stay expiration before filing so the writ is not rejected as premature.
- Do attach a certified copy of the judgment entry to avoid clerk follow-up.
- Do keep a stamped copy of the praecipe for your own file in case the bailiff loses theirs.
- Do call the bailiff’s office 48 hours before the scheduled set-out to confirm.
- Do book the mover crew the same day you file the praecipe, not the day before set-out.
Don’ts
- Don’t shorten the LLC name or drop the LLC suffix on the plaintiff line.
- Don’t use the trial date as the judgment date — use the file-stamp date.
- Don’t edit the pre-printed request language on the praecipe.
- Don’t sign as a non-attorney property manager for an LLC plaintiff.
- Don’t skip the bailiff instruction sheet, even if your county does not appear to require it.
- Don’t change the locks before the bailiff executes the writ — that constitutes an illegal self-help eviction under R.C. 5321.15.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se
- Saves $300 to $1,500 in attorney fees on a routine writ.
- Faster turnaround — no waiting on outside counsel.
- Builds personal familiarity with the eviction process for future cases.
- Direct line to the clerk and bailiff during scheduling.
- Total control of timing and bailiff instructions.
Cons of filing pro se
- LLCs cannot file pro se in many Ohio courts under unauthorized practice rules.
- Easy to miss the 10-day stay calculation and waste filing fees.
- No backstop if the tenant files a last-minute appeal or bankruptcy.
- Difficult to handle Section 8, VAWA, or post-foreclosure complications without counsel.
- Risk of self-help eviction allegations if the writ process is shortcut.
FAQs
How long does an Ohio Writ of Restitution take to issue after filing?
Typically 1 to 3 business days for e-filed praecipes and same-day for in-person filings, but rural counties can take up to a week.
Can a tenant stop a writ after it has been issued?
Yes. Tenants can file a motion to stay, an appeal, or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, any of which freezes execution until the court rules under R.C. 1923.14.
Do I write the LLC name or my own name in the plaintiff field?
Yes to the LLC name — the plaintiff field must match the judgment exactly, so write the LLC name with its suffix, not your personal name.
Can I include children as defendants in the defendant box?
No. Minors are not named separately. List only the adult tenants, and minors are removed with the parent.
Do I need an attorney to file the praecipe?
No for individual landlords filing pro se, but yes in most Ohio courts for LLCs and corporations under unauthorized practice rules.
Is the bailiff fee refundable if the tenant moves out before set-out?
No. Once the writ issues, the fee is consumed even if the tenant self-vacates before the bailiff arrives.
Can I write “and all other occupants” if it was not in the original judgment?
No. That phrase must already appear in the complaint and judgment to be valid on the writ.
How long is the writ valid after issuance?
Typically 10 days, after which the writ expires and a new praecipe and fee are required under R.C. 1923.14(C).
Do I need to attach the 3-day notice again at the writ stage?
No in most counties because it was already filed with the complaint, but some clerks reverify, so keep a copy handy.
What goes in the “set-out type” field — red tag or full set-out?
Either — choose red tag (lock-change) for cooperative tenants and full set-out (curbside) for hostile tenants or full property removal.
Can I e-file the praecipe in every Ohio county?
No. Only courts with active e-filing portals — like Franklin, Cuyahoga, and Hamilton — accept e-filed praecipes; rural counties require paper.
Do I need to be present at the set-out?
Yes in nearly every Ohio county, because the bailiff requires the landlord or agent on site to receive possession and direct the mover crew.
What if the judgment misspells the tenant’s name — do I copy the misspelling?
Yes. Match the praecipe to the judgment exactly, even if the name is misspelled, and file a separate motion to correct the judgment if needed.
Can I use the same praecipe for two units in the same building?
No. Each unit needs its own case number, judgment, and praecipe, even if the tenants are related or the units share an address.
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