Ohio public records
Ohio court records are distributed across county and municipal courts. County auditors handle property assessments, recorders handle deeds and probate courts handle marriage records. BCI fingerprint records are a separate service. Use the actual public office holding an unpublished record for an access request.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsSupreme Court of Ohio court directory | Find the county or municipal court and use its clerk's case service. | Local document and certification charges vary. Ohio trial records are distributed across courts; one county docket does not search the whole state. |
| Property and land recordsOhio Secretary of State county roster | Find the county auditor for parcel assessments and recorder for deeds. | County copies and certified instruments have separate fees. Auditor property data does not establish a complete chain of title or lien status. |
| Business recordsOhio Secretary of State | Use the official business search and filing services. | Basic search and certificates have different charges. Business registration and a professional license are distinct checks. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceOhio Department of Health | Follow birth/death ordering instructions; contact the county probate court for marriage or court clerk for divorce. | State/local certificates and court copies have separate fees. The state vital office does not issue every marriage record or divorce decree. |
| Criminal-history checksOhio Attorney General BCI | Follow the personal criminal-record request and WebCheck fingerprint instructions. | Fingerprint and BCI/FBI processing charges vary. A personal BCI check is distinct from public county dockets and from an authorized employment check. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Ohio
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Any person may request public-office records, subject to exemptions. An ordinary request need not generally identify the requester or explain a purpose.
- How to submit
- Identify the Ohio agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- Inspection must be prompt and copies provided within a reasonable time. Ohio has no universal fixed-day production deadline.
- Fees and estimates
- Inspection is generally free. Copies and delivery may be charged at actual cost, without ordinary employee search-time charges.
- If access is denied
- Serve the required written notice and allow the statutory opportunity to address the problem before suing. Unresolved disputes may use the Court of Claims process or mandamus.
Ohio records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Ohio public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Public Records Act (Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43), I request electronic copies of the city's executed contract and final expenditure report for [project] during [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Ohio public records FAQ
Where can I find Ohio court records?
Find the county or municipal court and use its clerk's case service. Ohio trial records are distributed across courts; one county docket does not search the whole state.
Sources: Supreme Court of Ohio court directoryAre Ohio public records free?
Inspection is generally free. Copies and delivery may be charged at actual cost, without ordinary employee search-time charges. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Ohio official public-records guidance; Supreme Court of Ohio court directory; Ohio Department of HealthHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Ohio?
Follow birth/death ordering instructions; contact the county probate court for marriage or court clerk for divorce. The state vital office does not issue every marriage record or divorce decree.
Sources: Ohio Department of Health; Supreme Court of Ohio court directoryIs a Ohio court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. A personal BCI check is distinct from public county dockets and from an authorized employment check. Follow the personal criminal-record request and WebCheck fingerprint instructions.
Sources: Ohio Attorney General BCI; Supreme Court of Ohio court directorySources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Ohio official public-records guidance — checked
- Supreme Court of Ohio court directory — checked
- Ohio Secretary of State county roster — checked
- Ohio Secretary of State — checked
- Ohio Department of Health — checked
- Ohio Attorney General BCI — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions