Rule 58.Entry of Judgment
Last amended July 1, 2026 · Last verified July 1, 2026
Full Text of Rule 58
Amendment History
Effective Date: July 1, 1970
Amended: July 1, 1971; July 1, 1989; July 1, 2012; July 1, 2026
Staff Note (July 1, 2012 Amendment)
Division (A) has been subdivided in order to add Civ.R. 58(A)(2) which is a restatement of Rule 7(B) of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio. The provision is more appropriately included within the civil rules governing the conduct of actions.
The July 1, 1997 Commentary to Sup.R. 7 stated in pertinent part:
[T]he rule was added in 1995 and is intended to address the decision of the Eighth District Court of Appeals in Paletta v. Paletta (1990), 68 Ohio App.3d 507. In Paletta, the court of appeals held that the appellant waived any objection to the judgment of the trial court when his attorney signed a proposed judgment entry and failed to file objections as required by local rule of court, notwithstanding the attorney’s assertion that he did not intend to approve the entry but only to acknowledge its receipt. The 1995 amendment indicates that a party’s approval of a proposed judgment entry only reflects agreement that the entry correctly sets forth the decision of the court and does not constitute a waiver of any error or objection for purposes of appeal.
Staff Note (July 1, 2026 Amendment)
The amendment incorporated language from former Sup.R. 7. The court need not wait 30 days before journalizing the judgment entry.
Plain-English Summary
Division (A)(1), rewritten effective July 1, 2026, says who prepares the judgment entry and how quickly it must be entered. Subject to Rule 54(B), the court must promptly prepare a judgment entry — or ask one or more of the parties’ attorneys to prepare it — when a jury returns a general verdict, the court announces a decision, or the court grants or denies relief. If counsel does not prepare and present a proposed entry, the court prepares it. The entry must be filed and journalized within 30 days of the verdict, decision, or determination, absent good cause; the rule’s 2026 Staff Note adds that the court need not wait 30 days before journalizing. A judgment is effective only when the clerk enters it upon the journal, not when it is announced or signed.
Division (A)(2) provides that when counsel or a party approves a judgment entry, the approval indicates only that the entry correctly reflects the verdict, decision, or determination; it does not waive any objection or assignment of error for appeal. Division (B) requires the court, when it signs a judgment, to direct the clerk to serve notice of the judgment and its entry date on every party not in default for failing to appear; the clerk must complete that service within three days of journalizing the judgment and note it on the appearance docket. A clerk’s failure to serve notice does not affect the judgment’s validity or the running of the appeal time, except as App.R. 4(A) provides. Division (C) provides that entry of the judgment is never delayed for the taxing of costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a judgment take effect?
Only when the clerk enters it upon the journal -- not when the court signs it or files it.
How long does the court have to journalize a judgment entry?
Rule 58(A)(1) requires the entry to be filed and journalized within 30 days of the verdict, decision, or determination, absent good cause. The 30 days is an outer limit; the rule’s 2026 Staff Note says the court need not wait 30 days before journalizing.
Does approving a judgment entry mean a party agrees with the court's ruling?
No. Rule 58(A)(2) makes clear that approval of the entry only confirms it correctly reflects the verdict, decision, or determination, and it doesn't waive any objection or assignment of error for appeal.
Can entry of judgment be held up while the court sorts out costs?
No. Rule 58(C) states that entry of the judgment isn't delayed for the taxing of costs.