Ohio Public Record Law

The Ohio Public Records Law was first legislated in 1963 and is outlined in Section 149.43 of the state's Revised Code. This law makes it possible for members of the public to inspect and copy public records held by the state, county, village, city, and township government offices.

Birth Records
Court Records
Criminal Records
Death Records
Divorce Records
Inmate Records
Marriage Records
Traffic Violation Records

Where Do I Submit a Public Record Request in Ohio?

Interested members of the public may submit their public record requests in Ohio to each state agency. In most cases, each public body in the state employs a public records officer to handle all public record requests submitted by members of the public. Some agencies have several employees, usually one in each division or department, that receive and respond to all public records requests addressed to their departments/divisions.

How Do I Request Public Records in Ohio?

Anyone can request public records in Ohio by asking for them, typically by taking these steps:

  • Identify the type of record being sought and the government agency that has it on its file.
  • Determine the agency's channel of accepting public record requests.
  • Prepare your request and send it to the relevant agency using any of the available/recommended channels. Also, pay the required fees (if applicable)

In Ohio, the office or officer responsible for public records in an agency may ask a requester to provide their ID. In addition, they may query the requester about their intended use of the record or information being sought. However, these are not mandatory.

Upon submitting a public record request in Ohio, the record custodian will transmit copies of the record to the requester by United States mail or any other delivery means within a reasonable time. Anyone seeking to obtain Ohio public records (especially for urgent requests) may also use the service of any reliable third-party public record companies/websites.

What Records are Public in Ohio?

Generally, public records in Ohio are records that document the functions, organizations, procedures, decisions, operations, and policies of public bodies (offices) in the state. The common ones include the following:

  • Government Financial Records - These are records of government revenue, contracts and procurements, expenses, audits, and budgets.
  • Property Records - These records are typically kept by the county recorders. They include property tax records, deeds, building permits, certificates of occupancy, mortgages, surveys, and property appraisal reports.
  • Judicial Records - These are largely records maintained by the Ohio court system comprising the Court of Claims, Mayor's Courts, Municipal and County Courts, and the Court of Common Pleas in Ohio. They include affidavits, complaints, transcripts, and exhibits submitted during criminal and civil case proceedings. Others are evidence submitted during heating, charges filed, and judgments.
  • Law Enforcement Records - These include non-confidential records like accident reports, arrest records, crime reports, and incident records.
  • Vital Records - These include birth records, death records, and records of other vital events that occur within the state's borders.

Who Can Request Public Records in Ohio?

Per state law, any individual, government agencies, and corporations may request and obtain public records in Ohio.

What Is the Response Time for Public Records Request in Ohio?

A typical public record request submitted to any public office in Ohio should be fulfilled promptly and within a reasonable period, usually 3 business days. All public records in the state are available for immediate inspection during working hours, depending on the clarity of the request, the proximity of the location where such records are kept, the need for legal review, and the redaction of information.

What Is the Fee Charged for Providing Copies of Public Records?

While most public offices in Ohio do not charge for inspecting or viewing public records, the standard charge for obtaining copies of public records in the state is between $0.10 and $0.5 per page of paper copies. Individuals who request to obtain public records or information on other media (electronic) are usually charged additional fees.

What Records Are Exempted Under the Ohio Public Law?

The Ohio Revised Code, Section 149.43 exempts several documents and information from disclosure in public records. These include the following: