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Auditor

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1. How do I qualify for the 2.5% property tax rollback?

The 2.5% supplemental rollback is a tax reduction for owner-occupied residential property. Rental properties are not eligible for the reduction. The State of Ohio reimburses schools and other agencies for this rollback. Most homeowners currently receive the supplemental rollback, as indicated on their tax bills.

However, this rollback is not given automatically. You must sign up to receive it. If you feel you are eligible for this rollback and are not receiving it, you may call (419) 337-9200 for additional information.

2. What do I do if my dog gets lost?

Call the Fulton County dog warden at (419) 337-9219 or the Sheriff’s Office at (419) 335-4010.

3. Is tangible personal property (TPP) still in effect?

In 2005, the governor in the State of Ohio signed Am. Sub. House Bill 66 that made the new commercial activity tax (CAT) effective July 1, 2005. This tax was phased in over five years in 20% increments. At the same time, TPP was phased out over four years at approximately 25% per year, starting in 2006.

With the changes noted above, the TPP is no longer in effect. The only activity is the billing and collection of delinquent TPP taxes.

4. When should I license my dog?

The annual license ($20) renewal period is December 1 through January 31. If you have a new puppy, you must buy a license by the time he reaches three months old. If you have just moved into Fulton County or if you just acquired a new dog, you must purchase a license within 30 days. (Ohio Revised Code Section 955.01)

5. Where do I purchase a dog license?

You can purchase a license by mail. You can also purchase a license in person at the Auditor's Office, 152 S. Fulton Street, Suite 165 Wauseon, Ohio. Licenses can also be purchased at Ace Hardware in Wauseon, Savvy Dog in Archbold, Fayette Hardware in Fayette, Delta Village Offices, or Swanton Village Offices. Call 419 337-9202 for details.

6. Must my dog wear a license?

YES. Ohio law requires it. Dogs without licenses may be impounded by the dog warden.

7. Why do I need to license my dog?

Ohio law requires that you license your dog. A license tag attached to your dog's collar proves ownership and is your pet's ticket home if he gets lost.

8. Can I let my dog run loose if he is licensed?

NO! It is against the law. Ohio law specifies that all dogs must be confined to your property or under reasonable control - such as on a leash when being walked.

9. What do I do if I find a lost dog?

If the dog is wearing a current Fulton County license tag, call the Auditor's office at 419 337-9202, the Fulton County Dog Warden at 419 337-9219 or the Sheriff’s office at 419 335-4010. If the dog is not wearing a current license tag, call the dog warden at 419 337-9219.

10. What if I move?

If you move within Fulton County, please call 419 337-9202 with your new address and telephone number so we can keep the information up-to-date. If you move to another county, call that county's Auditor for licensing information.

11. Which school districts in Fulton County have income taxes and what are the withholding rates?

#2602 Evergreen LSD (1.5% effective 1/1/10 for 5 yrs)
#2603 Gorham Fayette LSD (1.0%)
#2604 Pettisville LSD (1.0%)
#2606 Swanton LSD (.75% effective 1/1/10 for 5 yrs)

12. What is a Mobile Home Moving Permit?

If you need to move a mobile home in the State of Ohio, law requires you to purchase a permit. The fee for a Mobile Home Moving Permit is $5.00. Those who do not obtain a permit will be charge a fine of $100.00.

13. What is the cost for a Mobile Home Conveyance Fee?

Fulton County charges a fee of $4.00 per $1,000.00 of purchase price.
Example: A mobile home purchased for $24,000.00 would incur a conveyance fee of $96.00 When no monies change hands there is no conveyance fee.

14. My company submitted an invoice to Fulton County. Has it been paid?

Invoices are submitted to the Auditor's office for payment after they are approved for payment by the Board of County Commissioners. If you have questions about a submitted invoice, please contact the department of agency with which you dealt first. Then, if you haven't been satisfied, call the Finance Department of the Auditor's office at (419) 337-9202.

15. The County warrant (check) states that it must be presented within 60 days to receive payment. What if the warrant (check) is more than 60 days old?

If you try to deposit or cash a warrant (check) that is older than 60 days, it may not be honored when presented for redemption. Stale-dated warrants are paid periodically into unclaimed funds. To find out if a specific warrant can be presented for payment or if it has become stale-dated, call (419) 337-9202.

16. How can I obtain a listing of unclaimed funds?

A listing of all stale-dated warrants currently held in unclaimed funds is available by visiting the Ohio Department of Commerce web page.

17. Where can I find information regarding the CAT tax?

The Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT)can be contacted at 1-888-7-CATTAX (1-888-722-8820). ODT’s web site is www.tax.ohio.gov.

18. Who do I call to find out what cities or villages in Fulton County have an income tax?

Wauseon - 419-335-1171 (1.5%)
Swanton - 419-826-9515 (1.25%)
Delta - 419-822-5300 (1.5%)
Fayette - 419-237-2116 (1.5%)
Archbold - 419-445-9501 (1.5%)
Lyons - 419-923-2001
Metamora - 419-644-2051 (1.0%)

19. Does Fulton County have a county income tax?

No.

20. Can you help me with my income taxes?

No. Consult your accountant or the taxing authority involved.

21. I am starting a new business and how do I do payroll?

Consult your accountant for withholding, other rules and assistance.

22. When are Real Estate taxes due?

Real estate taxes are due Mid February and Mid-July of the current year.

23. Do we talk to the Auditor’s Office regarding payment of taxes?

No- Payment is handled through the Treasurer’s Office.

24. Do we inform the Auditor’s Office of a change in tax mailing addresses?

No- All changes in tax mailing addresses are handled through the Treasurer’s Office.

25. Where is the Real Estate Office?

152 S. Fulton Street, Suite 165 Wauseon.

26. Who do I contact for if I have questions regarding estates?

Please call the Auditor’s Office at (419) 337-9202.

27. I think the Auditor's appraised value is too high for my property. What are my options?

The appraised value set by the Auditor's Office is an important part of the property tax calculation. If you feel the appraised value is too high, you may file a complaint with the Fulton County Board of Revision. Filing a Board of Revision (BOR) complaint entitles you to a hearing before the three-member Board of Revision. At the hearing, you may present information such as recent appraisals or current sales data for similar properties in your neighborhood to support your complaint. BOR complaints must be filed between January 1 and March 31. You may call to request a complaint form or print one from this site.

28. What is the tax lien date?

The tax lien date is used to reflect real estate market value each year. In Ohio, the annual tax lien date is Jan. 1, and property taxes are always paid a year in arrears. For example, taxes paid in 2004 are for tax year 2003 and were calculated based on the property's value as of Jan. 1 2003.

29. Why would I want to upgrade my computer to use the new GIS / Mapping interface?

The new interface offers many new features, a few of these are:
Measuring Tool
Zoom to Selection Tool
Clear Selection Tool
Polygon Selection Tool
Plotter Printing Capabilities
Resizable Map
Enhanced Legend
Buffer Report Capabilities
CAMA search results displayed on map

30. (GIS) How do I use the measuring tool?

You select the measuring tool which looks like small ruler. Pick the point you want to measure from
then double click the point you want to measure to.

31. When I use the measuring tool it works for the 1st measurement and then will not work after that, why

Each time you use the measuring tool, you must close the distance window each time you use it. If
you do not close the window each time you measure, the tool will continue to work but the distance
window will move to the back of the desk top behind the internet mapping window. If you minimize
internet mapping window, the measuring tool window will be working in the background. You can
also minimize the measuring tool to the bottom of your screen and open it each time you want to read the dimension.

32. How do I find soils information for Fulton County?

Select the parcel tab, click both the on square and the active circle, then select one of the I D tools
to find the soil type your property is on.

33. When I use the soil identify tool it works for the 1st soil identify and then will not work after that, why

Each time you use the soil identify tool, you must close the soil identify window each time you use it. If you do not close the window each time you identify a soil, the tool will continue to work but the
soil identify window will move to the back of the desk top behind the internet mapping window. If you
minimize internet mapping window, the soil identify tool window will be working in the background.
You can also minimize the soil identify tool to the bottom of your screen and open it each time you
want to read the soil type.

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Board of Elections

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1. How do I become a poll worker?

We are always in need of poll workers for our elections. If you would be interested in becoming a poll worker, please contact the Board of Elections Office by calling (419) 335-6841 or emailing Kandice R. Lemley.

2. How can I get an application for an absentee ballot?

View the application for absentee voter's ballot.

3. Where can I find my polling location?

Visit the Ohio Secretary of State's website and search for your polling location.

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Clerk of Courts

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1. Where do I apply for a passport?

Applications for passports are available at the Wauseon Post Office Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturdays by appointment only. The post office is located at:
124 E. Elm St.
Wauseon, OH 43567-9998

2. Where do I pay for a traffic ticket?

If the violation occurred in the Wauseon area, go to Western District Court, the building south of the Courthouse, located at:
224 S. Fulton St.
Wauseon, OH 43567

If the violation occurred in the Swanton area, go to the Eastern District Court located at:
204 S. Main St.
Swanton, OH 43558

Check you traffic ticket for the location of the correct court.

3. Where do I go for a marriage license?

Marriage licenses are obtained at the Probate Court located in the Courthouse at:
210 S. Fulton St.
Wauseon, OH 43567

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Common Pleas Court

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1. When can I get a court appointed lawyer?

The Court only appoints attorneys for criminal cases when the defendant is indigent or when an individual is facing a contempt of court charge where the possibility of a jail term being imposed is an option.

2. Can I file my own divorce, dissolution, or civil action?

Yes. However, individuals filing their own actions must follow the same procedures as attorneys. Pleadings must be typed on 8.5-by-11-inch paper and captioned "in the Court of Common Pleas of Fulton County, Ohio." All pleadings must have your name, address, and phone number on the cover page.

If you use internet forms you must be sure they are Ohio specific and contain all necessary information. Court staff and clerk of court staff may not give legal advice on how to prepare your documents. Please see court rules for additional information on filing documents.

3. When, or at what age, can my child choose which parent he/she wants to live with?

Under Ohio law, while a child is 18 years old or younger and a dependent, the allocation of the primary residential parenting status is determined by the court.

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County Commissioners

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1. When is my court hearing?

Call the court in which you are to appear:

• Common Pleas Court: (419) 337-9260


• Eastern District Court: (419) 826-5636


• Juvenile or Probate Court: (419) 337-9242


• Western District Court: (419) 337-9212

2. How do I get a copy of my marriage license?

Visit the Bureau of Vital Statistics website for more information.

3. Is the Bureau of Motor Vehicles open on Saturdays?

Yes. Please call (419) 335-8808 to verify hours of operation.

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Emergency Management Agency

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1. What does a tornado watch mean?

A tornado watch is issued when the conditions are favorable for a tornado to occur.

2. What does a tornado warning mean?

A tornado has actually been sited.

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Main

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1. How do I contact a county department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

2. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?

Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.

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Regional Planning

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1. Can I split my property?

View the Lot Split Information guide.

2. Do I need a permit?

View the Do I Need a Permit guide.

3. Is my property zoned?

Please refer to the zoning maps to see if where you live is a zoned area. View the zoned townships webpage for more information.

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Sheriff's Office

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1. Can we see the house?

We have no access to the interior of the houses for sale.  No arrangements may be made for an internal inspection of the properties.  You are urged to check out the property as best you can.  The Fulton County Auditor can provide a printout on the property showing the numbers, and types of rooms, etc. or you can access the Auditor’s website at www.fultoncountyoh.com\auditor. Then on the left of the screen select “real estate”, then select “real estate information property search”.   Sales are “BUYER BEWARE.”  You are urged to consult an attorney if you need legal advice.

2. How does the Sheriff Sale work?

By law, the sale must be a public sale, unless ordered by the Court.  Sales are held on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. unless otherwise noted, just inside the west doors of the Fulton County Courthouse.  You, or a representative must appear to bid.  All bidding is done at the sale.  No prior or sealed bids are taken.  It works the same as any common auction.  There is no prior registration.  Make sure you can meet the terms of the sale.  Be ready to make your 10% deposit at the time of sale.  Caution, this is a Court function; if the sale is not completed, you are subject to being held in contempt of court and losing your deposit.

3. What happens to the liens on the property?

Liens are marshaled, (placed in order and paid in order), and paid from the sale proceeds.  A deficiency judgment may be granted to the plaintiff against the defendant (homeowner), if enough money is not generated at the sale.  The liens are then canceled against the property.  The exception is a Federal Lien, (which will be on file at the Fulton County Recorder’s Office).  You are urged to check out any liens, and check with an attorney if you have questions.  We do not have lien information at the Sheriff’s Office.

4. What if someone is living in the house?

If someone is living in the house and will not vacate, the Sheriff’s Office will remove them on issue of a Writ of Possession.  You may be responsible for obtaining the Writ of Possession from the Clerk of Common Pleas Court and providing manpower to set out their belongings.  Again, you should consult an attorney for questions regarding any of this.

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Treasurer

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1. What are unclaimed funds?

Unclaimed Funds are derived from intangible personal property that the state holds for the rightful owner after it has been unclaimed over a period of time. The following are just a few sources of unclaimed funds. State of Ohio unclaimed funds: Inactive Savings and Checking Accounts; Uncashed checks; Undeliverable Stock Shares and Uncashed Dividend Checks; Uncashed Insurance Benefits; Forgotten rent and utility Deposits; Intangible Safe Deposit Box Contents.

2. What if I don’t receive a bill for my real estate taxes?

Please call the office and ask for a duplicate copy. Please make sure we are sending the bill to the proper address.

3. What if I don’t agree with the values that my property is assessed at?

You will need to contact the Auditor’s Office to file a complaint with the Board of Revision. The Auditor’s office can be contacted at (419) 337-9200.