Ross County Court of Common Pleas
Probate Division

2 N. Paint St, Suite A
Chillicothe, OH  45601

Phone (740) 774-1179                   Fax (740) 774-3711

Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m.
Closed on all legal holidays

5.02A Publication by Newspaper
In all cases when service of process is to be accomplished by publication, it shall be the responsibility of the party to ensure that the publication is accomplished, including the selection of the means of publication and the preparation of the Motion for Publication, Affidavit in Support, Entry authorizing Service by Publication and the Notice for Publication.

Upon completion of the publication of service, the party shall file with the Court an affidavit from the publisher showing the fact of publication, together with a copy of the notice of publication. The affidavit and its exhibits shall constitute the proof of service.

5.02B Publication by Posting and Mail
In accordance with Ohio Rule of Juvenile Procedure 16 publication service may be perfected by posting.  The Clerk will service notice by publication by posting and mail as set forth below:

1. A request for service by publication by posting and mail shall include the following information in the notice: the case number, the name of the first party on each side, the name and last known address of the person who is to be served, a summary statement of the allegations made in the complaint and the date, time and place the person is to appear.
2. A request for service by publication by posting and mail shall be submitted at least fifteen (15) days before the date and time of the hearing stated in the notice.
3. The notice shall be posted on the Ross County Juvenile Court website, in a section designated “Public Notices,” for seven (7) consecutive days.
4. In addition to posting the notice, the Clerk shall mail the summons or other pleading to be served, by ordinary mail with a certificate of mailing, address correction requested, to the last known address of the party to be served, if known.
5. If the clerk is notified of a corrected or forwarding address for the party to be served within the seven (7) day period that the notice is posted pursuant to this rule, the Clerk shall mail the summons or other pleading to be served, by ordinary mail with a certificate of mailing, to the corrected or forwarding address.
6. Upon completion of service by posting and mail, the Clerk shall docket where and when the posting was completed and a copy of all certificates of mailing.
7. Service is complete when the notation of posting and mail is docketed by the Clerk.

Effective January 1, 2021