Find a civil, criminal, or traffic case
County Clerk of Courts (Common Pleas/Municipal) in the county of filing
The Clerk holds the official docket, filings, and judgments and can provide certified copies.
Where To Start In Ohio
Pick the office that originally created or maintains the record type you need.
Get a birth or death certificate
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Vital Statistics or the local health district
ODH and local health offices issue certified copies and maintain statewide indexes.
Obtain marriage or divorce records
County Probate Court for marriage; County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations) for divorce
Marriage licenses/returns are filed with Probate; divorce decrees are only available from the county of the case.
Verify deed, mortgage, or lien
County Recorder
Recorder is the official land records custodian for deeds, mortgages, and recorded liens.
Look up property owner or parcel details
County Auditor
Auditor provides parcel numbers, ownership, valuations, and tax assessment data.
Ohio Record Sources And Offices
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Department of Health – Vital Statistics | Certified birth and death certificates | Full name, date of event, place of event, parents’ names | Online request, mail, or in person at a local health district | Certified copies available; identification and payment required; older records may be archived. |
| County Probate Court | Marriage licenses and certified marriage records | Both parties’ names, approximate date, county of license | Online index (where offered), mail, or in person | Marriage records are kept by the county that issued the license; state indexes can help verify dates/locations. |
| County Clerk of Courts | Civil, criminal, traffic cases; divorce decrees; judgments | Case number, party name, date range, attorney name | Online docket search (varies by county), in person, or records request | Certified court copies must come from the Clerk; case types and portals vary by county and court level. |
| County Recorder | Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements | Grantor/grantee name, property address, parcel number, document/instrument number | Online index/images (varies), mail, or in person | Recorder maintains the official chain of title; some personal data may be redacted. |
| County Auditor | Parcel data, ownership, valuations, tax assessments | Parcel number, situs address, owner name | Online property search/GIS, in person | Valuations are for taxation; not a legal proof of ownership. |
| Ohio Secretary of State | Business entities, trade names, UCC filings | Business name, charter/entity number, registered agent name | Online search, mail, or in person | Certificates (e.g., good standing) and certified filings available. |
Useful Search Inputs
- Full legal name with middle name or initial
- Case number or docket number (exact or partial)
- Date range of event or filing
- County of event, filing, or property location
- Property address and parcel number
- Document or instrument number for land records
- Business name or entity/charter number
- Date of birth and parents’ names for vital records
- Attorney or judge name (for court searches)
Route By Record Type
Court Records
Civil, criminal, traffic, small claims, domestic relations, appellate, and Supreme Court dockets and filings.
- Where To Start
- Start with the County Clerk of Courts in the county of filing; use District Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court docket for appellate matters.
- Best Search Input
- Case number if known; otherwise party name plus a date range and county.
- Official Copy Note
- Obtain certified copies directly from the Clerk of Courts; statewide portals and summaries are not certified.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates; marriage licenses/returns; divorce decrees and case records.
- Where To Start
- ODH Vital Statistics or local health district for birth/death; Probate Court for marriage; Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations) for divorce decrees.
- Best Search Input
- Full name, date and place of event, and parents’ names for births; both parties’ names and date for marriages.
- Official Copy Note
- Certified copies for legal use must be ordered from ODH/local health (birth/death) or the appropriate county court (marriage/divorce).
Property And Deeds
Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, parcel ownership, assessments, and tax history.
- Where To Start
- County Recorder for recorded documents; County Auditor for parcel data and values; County Treasurer for tax payment status.
- Best Search Input
- Parcel number or grantor/grantee name; also use situs address and document number if available.
- Official Copy Note
- Proof of ownership comes from a certified copy of the recorded deed from the Recorder.
Business And Licensing
Business entity filings, trade names, and certain UCC records; professional license lookups via state boards.
- Where To Start
- Ohio Secretary of State for business records; consult the relevant Ohio licensing board for professional licenses.
- Best Search Input
- Exact business name or charter/entity number; for licenses, the license number or holder’s name.
- Official Copy Note
- Request certified filings or certificates (e.g., good standing) from the Secretary of State; license verifications come from the board.
Inmates And Offenders
State prison inmates, parole status, and registered sex offenders; some counties list jail rosters.
- Where To Start
- Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for state inmates; county sheriff for local jail; Attorney General for sex offender registry.
- Best Search Input
- Full name and date of birth; also try offender number if available.
- Official Copy Note
- Custody or registry printouts reflect status but do not replace certified court dispositions.
Official Records vs Background Services
Official Ohio sources are best when you need certified copies, court filings, recorded deeds, vital certificates, or an agency-held document. They are tied to the creating office and offer authoritative records. Background check services can help with broad, name-based searching across many areas, but results may be incomplete or outdated and do not replace the Clerk, Recorder, Vital Statistics, or licensing boards for official copies.
How To Request An Official Copy
- Identify the correct Ohio office that created the record (court, ODH/local health, Recorder, Auditor, Secretary of State).
- Confirm the record type, approximate date, and whether a certified copy is required for your purpose.
- Gather details: full names, case or document number, parcel number, event date/place, and valid identification if needed.
- Choose a request method offered by the office: online form/portal, mail-in application, or in-person counter service.
- Submit the request with payment and any required authorization or proof of relationship (if applicable).
- Track the request and pick up or receive the copy; verify seals or certification language if it will be used legally.
Limits And Accuracy Notes
- Statewide indexes may not include older, sealed, or very recent filings; always verify with the holding county office.
- Juvenile, sealed, expunged, and protected records are restricted by law and may not be released.
- Name-based searches can return multiple results; confirm with date of birth, middle name, or case/document numbers.
- Assessor/Auditor data shows assessments and ownership snapshots and is not a guarantee of title.
- Redactions of sensitive information (e.g., SSNs, victim details) are common in publicly released documents.
Ohio Public Records FAQs
How do I look up an Ohio court case without a case number?
Search the County Clerk of Courts portal in the county of filing by party name and a date range. If unsure of the county, start where the incident occurred and check both Municipal and Common Pleas courts.
Where can I get a certified Ohio birth certificate?
Request from the Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics or the local health district serving the place and date of birth. Provide full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names.
Are marriage and divorce records available statewide in Ohio?
The state provides indexes for verification, but certified marriage copies come from the County Probate Court, and certified divorce decrees come from the County Clerk of Courts that handled the case.
What proves property ownership in Ohio?
A certified copy of the recorded deed from the County Recorder is the strongest proof. Auditor websites are helpful for parcel data but are not proof of title.
How do I verify an Ohio business or license?
Search the Ohio Secretary of State for business entity status and filings. For professional licenses, use the appropriate Ohio licensing board’s verification tools.