Ohio Court Records

The Ohio court system is structured into the supreme court, the appellate court, and the trial courts. At the highest level is the Ohio Supreme Court, which serves as the state's court of last resort. Below the Supreme Court is the Ohio Court of Appeals, which consists of 12 appellate districts across the state. These courts handle appeals from trial courts, reviewing cases to determine if legal errors were made that could have affected the outcome.

The Court of Common Pleas is Ohio's general trial court and exists in each of the state's 88 counties. It has four divisions: general, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile. At the local level, the state has municipal and county courts, which manage misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, and civil disputes involving smaller monetary amounts (typically up to $15,000). These courts also conduct preliminary hearings for felony cases before they move to the common pleas court.

Additionally, Ohio has specialized courts, such as mayor's courts, which operate in some smaller municipalities. These courts handle minor traffic offenses and ordinance violations but are not courts of record. Mayor's Court decisions are appealed to the municipal or county court.

Ohio courts handle over 2 million cases annually. More than 65% of these cases are filed in the municipal or county courts, while about 20% are filed in the Ohio courts of common pleas.

What Are the Types of Court Records In Ohio?

Ohio's court system maintains a variety of records, each corresponding to the specific functions and jurisdictions of its courts. These records are generated via different actions by the defendant, plaintiff, judges, and other court officers.

The following are the records maintained by each court type in Ohio:

• Supreme Court of Ohio
• Case Files: Records of all cases reviewed by the court, including briefs, motions, opinions, and orders.
• Administrative Records: Documents related to the court's operations, rule-making, and oversight of the state's judiciary.
• Courts of Appeals
• Appellate Case Records: Files containing notices of appeal, briefs, records from lower courts, opinions, and judgments.
• Courts of Common Pleas:
• General Division:
• Civil Case Records: Complaints, answers, motions, judgments, and case dockets.
• Criminal Case Records: Indictments, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and related filings.
• Domestic Relations Division
• Divorce and Dissolution Records: Petitions, decrees, custody agreements, and support orders.
• Domestic Violence Protection Orders: Petitions and issued protection orders.
• Juvenile Division
• Delinquency and Unruly Case Records: Complaints, adjudications, and dispositions.
• Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Records: Case files involving child welfare matters.
• Probate Division
• Estate Records: Wills, inventories, and distribution orders.
• Guardianship Records: Applications, appointments, and reports.
• Marriage Licenses: Applications and issued licenses.
• Adoption Records: Petitions, decrees, and related documents.
• Name Change Records: Applications and court orders.
• Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability Records: Commitment proceedings and evaluations.
• Birth and Death Records: Some birth and death records prior to 1908.
• Municipal and County Courts:
• Traffic and Misdemeanor Case Records: Citations, complaints, judgments, and case dockets.
• Preliminary Hearings for Felonies: Transcripts and related filings.
• Small Claims Records: Complaints, judgments, and case notes.
• Mayor's Courts:
• Traffic Violation Records: Citations, hearing outcomes, and fines.
• Local Ordinance Violation Records: Complaints and adjudications.

Are Ohio Court Records Public?

Most court records in Ohio are considered public. Although the state's Open Records Law provides the foundation for making the records of government agencies public, public access to records of Ohio courts is governed by Rules 44 and 45 of the Rules of Superintendence adopted by the state supreme court. These Rules provide for any person to submit a request to the clerk of the court to inspect or copy court records.

Note that the Ohio Supreme Court rules restrict public access to certain records or portions of court records. Examples of restricted records or information include juvenile records, healthcare records, financial account information, Social Security numbers, domestic violence risk assessments, and sealed or expunged court records.

Ohio courts typically allow records to be sealed to protect the privacy of the individuals named on the record or in circumstances when disclosure is deemed contrary to public interest. Once sealed, these records may only be accessed under specific legal circumstances or by court order.

How Do I Search Ohio Court Records?

Ohio court records may be searched online or offline. To search for a court record online, you must identify the court where the case was heard. After that, visit the court website and enter the search information. Each county in Ohio maintains its own case management system, typically managed by the respective Clerk of Courts. For instance, Franklin County offers public access to its court records through its Case Information Online (CIO) system. In addition, the supreme court of Ohio provides a search tool on its website for the public to search case information for matters handled by the court.

Typically, to perform a search for case information online, you will need the following:

• The name of a party involved in the case
• The case number
• The date range of the case
• Attorney information

How To Retrieve Court Records Offline

If you need a certified copy of an Ohio court record, you must visit the office of the clerk of the court where the case was held. There, you will be required to provide information that will help the office of the clerk of the court to locate the record you need. Usually, the following are required:

• The case number
• The names of the party involved
• The date of filing
• The type of case

Upon providing the following information, you may be able to obtain the record on the same day as the request if it is a recent record and is not a complex search. However, it may take up to two weeks to obtain a copy of an Ohio court record. If the volume of requests before the court is high, it may take even longer. Note that the state allows courts to charge a reasonable fee for reproducing or certifying a court record. The fee for copying and certifying court records can vary by county. Typically, it ranges from $1 to $5 per page for copies and an additional $2 to $10 for certification.

Can I Seal or Expunge an Ohio Court Record?

Although sealing and expungement are used interchangeably in some jurisdictions, they mean different things. Sealing a court record in Ohio restricts public access, making it unavailable to most individuals and organizations, including employers. However, certain employers may still have access under specific circumstances. Expungement, on the other hand, typically means that the record is destroyed, effectively erasing any trace of the case. The legal provisions governing the sealing and expungement of records are codified under Ohio Revised Code §§ 2953.31-2953.39.

Not all records may be sealed or expunged in Ohio. The following offenses are not allowed to be sealed or expunged in the state:

• Traffic convictions
• First- and second-degree felonies
• A third-degree felony if the petitioner has two or more felonies of any degree
• A third-degree felony if the petitioner has exactly two third-degree felonies, two misdemeanors, and any other convictions
• Violating protection order convictions
• Domestic violence convictions, except fourth-degree misdemeanor
• Offense where the victim was less than 13 years old. This does not apply to nonsupport of dependents
• Felonies offenses of violence that are not sexually-oriented offenses
• Sexually oriented offense where the petitioner is subject to the requirements of Chapter 2950 of the Ohio Revised Code

The state also mandates specific waiting periods for sealing and expungement as follows:

• Sealing:
• A minor misdemeanor: 6 months after discharge
• A misdemeanor: 1 year after the misdemeanor is discharged
• A fourth- or fifth-degree felony: 1 year after the felony is discharged.
• One or two third-degree felonies: 3 years after the felony is discharged

• Expungement:
• A minor misdemeanor: 6 months after discharge
• A misdemeanor: 1 year after the misdemeanor is discharged
• A fourth- or fifth-degree felony: 11 years after the felony is discharged
• One or two third-degree felonies: 13 years after the third-degree felony is discharged

Note that a case is considered discharged when the person with the record has fully completed all prison or jail sentences, terms of parole or probation, and the payment of fees or fines that were accessed as penalties for the conviction. Also, before you may file for sealing or expungement in Ohio, the petitioner must not have pending criminal charges with the state. Ohio sealing and expungement laws change often; hence, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced attorney before filing a petition to seal or expunge records with the court.

To file for the sealing or expungement of a non-conviction record or pardon in Ohio, follow these steps:

• Complete the Application: Fill out the required form for sealing or expunging non-conviction where the conviction occurred. Note that there is no cost to apply for sealing or expungement of non-conviction records
• Application Review: Once submitted, the court clerk will forward your application to the prosecutor for review.
• Mandatory Hearing Scheduled: A hearing will be set to be held between 45 to 90 days after filing. You will receive a hearing notice along with a stamped copy of your application.
• Attend the Hearing: You must appear at the hearing. Missing it may lead to the denial of your application.
• Obtain the sealing or expungement order: If your application is successful, the court will send the order to the relevant state and local agencies for action.

If your application is for the sealing or expungement of conviction records, follow these steps:

• Complete and submit a formal application to the court where the conviction occurred. Pay the filing fee (Typically, it typically varies between $50 and $100).
• Attend the mandatory hearing set by the court after the court clerk forwards your application to the prosecution for review. This hearing will be between 45 and 90 days from the filing date.
• If your request is granted at the hearing, the court will send the sealing or expungement order to the appropriate agencies for action.

How To Search Federal Court Records in Ohio

The two federal courts in Ohio (the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio) hear different types of cases from those handled by state-operated courts. Ohio federal courts handle cases involving bankruptcy filings, federal law violations, lawsuits against federal agencies, and interstate disputes. The records of these courts are available to requesters online and via in-person visits to the addresses of the courthouses.

Online access to federal court records in Ohio is available via the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Record). However, to use the PACER system, you must first create an account on the system. Accessing court records online via the PACER costs about $0.1 per page but is capped at $3 per document.

If you prefer offline access, visit the address of the Southern or Northern District court to submit a request at the office of the clerk of the court. Note that fees apply for obtaining standard and certified copies of federal court records.

How To Get Ohio Court Records Online for Free?

You can get Ohio court records for free by visiting the website of the court with custody of the record you need. Many courts on the site have search tools on their websites that the public may use to access their records for free. If you want to access Ohio supreme court records for free, use the case search tool on the website of the court.

Alternatively, with court records generally considered court records, it is also possible to access Ohio court records online for free via third-party websites such as peoplerecords.us.