Delaware County, Ohio State Court Records
In Delaware County, Ohio, court records are official files that reveal court events, such as legal proceedings and judicial administration matters. Such records reveal information about the case parties, legal representatives, court events, and judicial decisions. In addition, court records might include public documents filed during case proceedings. For example, concerned parties may find vital records, such as marriage and birth certificates, in probate case files.
Delaware County court clerks are responsible for creating and keeping records of court case proceedings. Record seekers may obtain court records by using options provided by the court clerks.
Are Delaware County Court Records Public?
Yes, a majority of court information in Delaware County is accessible to the public. Per Ohio Revised Code, the public can view and obtain copies of such records from designated government agencies. The law requires agencies to release records upon receiving requests from record seekers.
However, some court records are not accessible to the public. Restricted documents may include information whose disclosure may violate the safety of concerned parties. Under the state law, the following court records are not publicly accessible:
- Court records that are sealed or expunged under state laws.
- Court records that are protected under the client-attorney confidentiality clause.
- Information that may affect the progress of an ongoing criminal prosecution or investigation.
- Mental health and medical reports that are included in court records.
- Personal information of juvenile offenders.
What Information is Available in Delaware County Court Records?
Court records in Delaware County may reveal the following information:
- Defendant's and plaintiff's personal information, including names, physical description, occupation, and address.
- Names of the legal representatives and judicial official.
- Transcript.
- Case identifiers, such as number, dates, and status.
- Court judgments.
Delaware County Court Records Search
Record seekers may search and obtain Delaware County court records by using the following options:
Online Access
Delaware County courts maintain online searchable databases for looking up court documents. For instance, the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas hosts an online database for domestic relations cases. Record seekers may find records on the platform by entering the case number, party name, or citation/ticket number.
Likewise, record seekers may find records via an online database maintained by the Delaware County Municipal Court. To look up records, interested parties must first select the case type before providing relevant search information.
Note: The courts do not charge fees for online searches.
In-Person Access
The Delaware County Clerk of Courts is the record custodian of cases heard in the Court of Common Pleas. Interested parties may inquire about such records by visiting the clerk's office at these locations:
Legal Division:
Delaware County Courthouse
117 North Union Street
Level 300
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2500
Fax: (740) 833-2499
Title Division: Delaware Title Office
Frank B. Willis Government Building
2079 U.S. Route 23 North
Suite #1
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2490
Fax: (740) 833-2498
Title Division: Lewis Center Title Office
NorthPointe Shopping Center
8647 Columbus Pike
Lewis Center, Ohio 43035
Phone: (740) 657-3945
Fax: (740) 657-3927
In contrast, the Clerk of the Delaware Municipal Court handles in-person requests for court documents at this address:
Delware Municipal Court
70 North Union Street
Delaware, Ohio 43015.
Phone: (740) 203-1550
Note: The court clerks will request copy fees before disclosing requested documents.
Mail and Phone Requests
The court clerks' offices allow mail-in requests for court transcripts. Record seekers may submit mail requests for court documents by following these general steps:
- Fill out the appropriate forms:
- Request form for Transcript of Proceedings (for cases heard at the court of common pleas).
- Request form for Recording of Court Proceeding (for cases heard at the municipal court)
- Attach the required fees.
- Include a copy of a valid ID if the record contains confidential information.
- Submit the request forms to the appropriate clerk's office.
Note: The municipal court will process requests for audio or video recordings within 3 business days of receiving the request.
Fees for Court Records in Delaware County
In Delaware County, Ohio, court clerks may charge fees for searching and producing copies of court documents. The fees may vary based on the clerk's office handling the request, document format, and request option. At the county clerk's office, record seekers must pay $0.10 per page of copied documents and $1 per certified copy. However, certificates of judgments cost $20. The municipal court clerk's office charges a different set of fees. For instance, the clerk charges $5 per DVD disk for court recordings.
Delaware County Courthouse Locations
The Delaware County trial court system comprises the Courts of Common Pleas, Municipal Courts, and Mayor's Courts. Interested parties may find the courts at these locations:
Courts of Common Pleas in Delaware County
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas - General and Domestic Relations Divisions
Delaware County Courthouse
110 North Sandusky Street
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2500
Fax: (740) 833-2499
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division
Rutherford B. Hayes Building
140 North Sandusky Street
PO Box 8006
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2600
Fax: (740) 833-2599
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas - Probate Division
Rutherford B. Hayes Building
140 North Sandusky Street
3rd Floor
PO Box 8006
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2680
Fax: (740) 833-2679
Delaware Municipal Court
Delaware Justice Center
70 North Union Street
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 203-1560 (Civil/Small Claims)
Fax: (740) 203-1599 (Civil/Small Claims)
Phone: (740) 203-1570 (Criminal/Traffic)
Fax: (740) 203-1599 (Criminal/Traffic)
Mayor's Courts in Delaware County
Shawnee Hills Mayor's Court
Shawnee Hills Municipal Building
9484 Dublin Road
Shawnee Hills, OH 43065
Phone: 614-889-2824
Fax: 614-336-1791
Sunbury Mayor's Court
91 East Granville Street
PO Box 508
Sunbury, OH 43074
Phone: (740) 965-2684
Fax: (740) 965-9633
Criminal Records Access in Delaware County
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations handles all requests for criminal records checks in Delaware County. To obtain criminal history records, applicants must follow these steps to obtain criminal history records:
- Get fingerprinted at the Delaware County Sheriff's Office or the City Police Department. Law enforcement will require a valid ID and a $70 fee before taking your fingerprints.
- Next, the law enforcement agency will forward completed fingerprint cards to the BCI.
- Upon receiving the card, the BCI will retrieve and forward the record to the address provided by the applicant.
Note that criminal case records are not the same as criminal history files. The former contain comprehensive details about criminal case activities within the county. Furthermore, the records are only accessible through the courthouse that heard the case. Record seekers may obtain criminal records by using resources provided by the clerks of the courthouses in Delaware County.
Delaware County Probate Records
Delaware County probate records contain information about probate case proceedings and judicial administration matters. Such records may include wills, petitions, property appraisements, and court judgments.
Probate court records are mostly accessible to the public. Record seekers may view probate case files using online or offline resources provided by the county clerk's office.
Delaware County Family Court Records
In Delaware County, record seekers may obtain family court records in the custody of the county clerk's office. The county clerk maintains online and offline access to family law cases, including divorce, child custody, and domestic abuse. For online access to court records, record seekers must conduct searches using the clerk's online search portal. Alternatively, record seekers can obtain non-certified and certified records by visiting the clerk's physical locations.
The clerk's office may attend to in-person inquiries between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. At the clerk's office, record seekers must pay $1 per copy of certified court records.
Federal Court Records in Delaware County
Federal cases in Delaware County are under the purview of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. The court oversees federal cases, such as bankruptcy, drug trafficking, patent/copyright disputes, and civil rights violations.
The court maintains records of such cases and makes them accessible to interested parties. For example, record seekers may use the court's PACER system to look up online federal court records. The court also allows in-person access to court documents. Interested parties must submit record requests in-person to this address:
Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse
85 Marconi Boulevard
Room 121
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 719-3000