Ohio Public Records: How to Find Public Records in Ohio

The Ohio Open Records Law facilitates every resident's right to find, obtain, review, and analyze the state's public records. The law guarantees everyone in the state has safe and secure access to the documents. 

This blog post aims to provide all information you need to access Ohio state records, regardless of location, nationality, or citizenship status. 

History of public records in Ohio

Ohio began its record-keeping practices in 1789 when paper-based records were the norm. Property and vital records, including those documenting births and deaths, were among the first records created. 

In the 1980s, Ohio initiated the shift towards electronic record-keeping and began the process of converting old paper records to digital formats. It is among the many states that have fully embraced digital record-keeping.

What you need to access Ohio public records

All citizens of the United States are eligible to request Ohio's public records, irrespective of their location within or outside the state. They must only submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It's worth noting that not all state agencies ask for formal requests. 

If you're retrieving a record from a custodian that requires formal requests, you can submit it by mail, email, or in person. But, the request has to be directed to the actual unit handling the records in the department. 

Before submitting your request to the custodian, ensure it includes the following details: 

● Your full name 
● Your contact information 
● Precise details about the document 
● The record's subject 
● Preferred method of delivery (mail or email)
● Preferred date you'd like to receive the information

Ohio Court Records

The Ohio Open Records Law, enacted in 1954, defines court records as a fundamental right for Ohio residents and makes them accessible to all members of the public. Publicly available court records include: 

● Affidavits
● Civil case settlements
● Documents related to allegations 
● Proceedings took under oath

The judiciary branch's responsibility for maintaining court records lies with the Office of the Clerk of Courts. In rare instances, court records may be sealed or redacted due to specific circumstances.

What to expect from an Ohio court record

An available court record in Ohio contains case files, court orders, judgment documentation, court minutes, jury records and files, and witness documentation. 

Unlike other states, Ohio has yet to have a fully functional online portal offering search services. 

The easiest way to find these records is to locate the county or district court where the case was held. 

Once you've determined the exact custodian of your court records, you may contact them inline, but not all county courts have an online database. If yours doesn't, call the court clerk to put in a records request or visit the office in person. 

Public Criminal Records in Ohio

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Identification Division provides people with the most up-to-date records to conduct background checks on acquaintances. 

This division is the central repository for all felony records within the state, containing fingerprints, photos, and other information related to Ohio's criminal records. Information found in a criminal record includes: 

● A person's date of birth
● Photograph/mugshot 
● Fingerprints 
● Case number 
● Past and current addresses 
● Former arrest records 
● Warrants 
● Domestic violence charges 
● Sex offender status.

The Bureau of Crime Identification & Investigation (BCI&I), an Ohio Attorney General's Office subsidiary, provides civilian background checks through WebCheck. 

This service is fast, with results available within hours, and requires a complete set of fingerprints for criminal records, along with a business check, money order, or e-payment of $22 made out to the Treasurer of the State of Ohio.

Unclaimed monies in Ohio

Don't overlook the possibility of unclaimed funds, essentially lost money. Fortunately, there is a way to recover this money by searching for it through the Ohio Division of Unclaimed Funds. 

By searching for your individual or business name, you can determine whether you have any unclaimed funds that belong to you. While it may not be a frequent occurrence, it is certainly possible to discover an unclaimed property that rightfully belongs to you.

Vital Records In Ohio 

The Vital Records Statistics Unit Of the Ohio Department of Health is responsible for maintaining vital records in the state, which include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. 

The process for obtaining public records of essential records in Ohio will depend on the specific type of document being requested. 

Direct all your requests to the Ohio Bureau of Vital Records, Vital Statistics, Ohio Department of Health at P.O. Box 15098, Columbus, OH 43215-0098 or by phone at 614-466-2531.

What you need to request a birth or death certificate in Ohio 

While preparing your request form for submission, ensure it includes details like the full name on the record, date, place, and parent's full names. 

The quickest way to request a certified copy of an Ohio death or birth certificate is by completing the Application for Certified Copies and mailing it to the department. 

You can also submit the complete form at the local health department closest to you. 

What you need to retrieve a marriage or divorce certificate in Ohio

Ohio has a unique record system for marriage and divorce documents. Rather than have these records be a responsibility of the health department, Ohio laws deem the records a responsibility of the clerk of the courts' office. 

Hence, you may request a certified copy of a divorce or marriage record by contacting the clerk of the court's office where the case has been held. Each county probate court has specific forms, fees, and office hours. 

Property Records in Ohio

Ohio's property records are maintained by the County Recorder's office, which includes a range of documents such as liens, land records, titles, property deeds, mortgages, property tax assessment records, zoning information, and probate records. 

The information required to obtain a public property record varies depending on the County Recorder's Office, including forms, fees, and office hours. 

The location where the property record is maintained will depend on the County Recorder. You can contact them to obtain Ohio property records. 

To receive access to data, parcels, and tax maps, contact the Geographic Information System (GIS) and inquire about public access.

Final Note

Although Ohio agencies respond promptly to public records search requests, they are still not as fast as third-party search engines, specifically TruePeopleSearch. 

Do you want to spend your money, time, and effort to make a written request when you could stay in and order a public search request through truepeoplesearch.io? 
Trust us! Truepeoplesearch is what you need.