Ashland County Court Records
OhioCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on OhioCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Ashland County is a rural community in north-central Ohio, with its county seat in the city of Ashland. The county court system runs through the Court of Common Pleas—which covers General, Domestic Relations, Probate, and Juvenile Divisions—and the Ashland Municipal Court, which handles certain case types for the entire county. Together, these courts have built up a large collection of records documenting every phase of a proceeding, from the initial complaint through hearings, judgments, and final dispositions. Mayors Courts in Loudonville and Perrysville also handle local ordinance violations.
If you need to find court records in Ohio, OhioCourts.us can help you identify publicly available case information across the state. Within Ashland County, both the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court run their own electronic case search systems. The Clerk of Courts keeps physical records at the Ashland County Courthouse, and the Probate and Juvenile Division offers a separate online search tool and accepts record requests by mail and email.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Ashland County?
Ashland County gives you online, in-person, and mail-based options for finding court case records. Which route works best depends on the court that handled the case.
Online Searches
Each major Ashland County court runs its own electronic case lookup system:
- Court of Common Pleas (General and Domestic Relations Divisions): The eAccess portal lets you search by party name, case number, or case type. You can view docket entries, case summaries, and filing details for civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases.
- Probate and Juvenile Division: The Probate Court record search tool supports searches by party name, case number, or filing date for probate matters.
- Ashland Municipal Court: The Court Connect database covers criminal, traffic, civil, and small claims case records. Search by party name or case number.
In-Person Access
All Ashland County courts sit within or near the Ashland County Courthouse complex. You can inspect public records during office hours at no charge. Find the Clerk of Courts for the Court of Common Pleas at:
Ashland County Courthouse
142 W. 2nd Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Phone: (419) 282-4242
Hours (Legal Division): Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Probate and Juvenile Division shares the same courthouse address and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Municipal Court is located at 1209 East Main Street, Ashland, OH 44805, and can be reached at (419) 289-8137.
Mail and Email Requests
For Probate and Juvenile Division records, download and complete the public record copy request form and send it by mail or email to:
Judge of the Probate and Juvenile Court
ATTN: Public Records Clerk
142 West Second Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Phone: (419) 282-4216
Email: acjuvenileprobate.records@zoominternet.net
For Common Pleas General Division and Domestic Relations records, reach the Clerk of Courts at clerkstaff@ashlandcounty.org or (419) 282-4242. For Municipal Court records, call the Municipal Court Clerk at (419) 289-8137.
Are Court Records Public in Ashland County?
Ohio's Public Records Act, found at Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code, establishes that records held by public offices—including courts—are generally open to the public. Anyone may request to inspect or receive copies of public court records during the custodian's regular business hours. Custodians must respond within a reasonable time and cannot require you to explain why you want the records.
That said, certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under the statute and related Ohio law. Records or information that may be withheld include:
- Social Security numbers
- Medical and mental health records
- Probation and parole proceedings records
- Adoption records
- Trial preparation records compiled by attorneys
- Juvenile case records
- Confidential law enforcement investigation records
- Records subject to a court order restricting access
If a record contains both public and exempt information, the custodian must redact the exempt portions and release the rest. If your request is denied, the custodian must spell out the legal basis for that denial. The Ohio Attorney General's office provides guidance on the Public Records Act and handles complaints about access issues.
Copy fees vary by office. The Ashland County Recorder, for example, charges $0.10 per page for public self-service copies and $2.00 per page for staff-made copies. Each clerk's office sets its own court copy fees, so confirm costs before submitting a request.
Ashland County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Ashland County go to either the Court of Common Pleas (felonies and serious offenses) or the Ashland Municipal Court (misdemeanors, traffic violations, and ordinance infractions). The Municipal Court also conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases before they are bound over to the Common Pleas Court. Mayors Courts in Loudonville and Perrysville handle certain local ordinance violations.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case information from the Court of Common Pleas is searchable through the eAccess case search portal by defendant name, case number, or case type. Municipal Court criminal and traffic records are available through the Court Connect database.
In-person record inspection is available at both courts during business hours. The Municipal Court's Criminal/Traffic Division handles all misdemeanor criminal cases—where the maximum punishment is six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine—as well as ordinance violations and traffic offenses occurring within Ashland County.
Criminal Background Checks
The Ashland County Sheriff's Office processes fingerprint-based criminal background checks through the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and the FBI. You'll find the Sheriff's Office at:
Ashland County Sheriff's Office
1205 East Main Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Phone: (419) 289-6552
Email: sheriff@ashlandcounty.org
Background check fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| BCI background check | $30.00 |
| FBI background check | $32.00 |
| Combined BCI and FBI check | $62.00 |
| Hard card fingerprint cards | $5.00 per card |
No appointment is needed during regular hours—Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Accepted payment includes exact cash, money orders, and credit/debit cards (with a $2.00 service fee per transaction). Personal checks are not accepted. Bring a valid photo ID and download the Request for a Background Check form ahead of time.
Arrest and Inmate Information
The Sheriff's Office Corrections Division maintains a searchable current inmate list for individuals held at the Ashland County Jail. The tool shows booking information on current detainees and is updated regularly.
Ashland County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Ashland County are split between the Court of Common Pleas and the Ashland Municipal Court based on the nature and dollar amount of the claim. The Common Pleas Court has general jurisdiction over all civil matters. The Municipal Court handles civil cases where the amount in dispute is less than $15,000 and small claims cases under $6,000—provided the transaction occurred in Ashland County, the property is located there, or the defendant resides in the county.
Types of Civil Matters
These courts hear a wide range of civil proceedings, including contract disputes, evictions, foreclosures, property disputes, personal injury actions, wrongful death claims, and medical malpractice cases.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records from the Court of Common Pleas are available through the eAccess case search. Search by party name, case number, or case type to pull up docket entries and case information. Municipal Court civil and small claims records are searchable through the Court Connect system.
Requesting Copies
The Clerk of Courts keeps civil case records from the Court of Common Pleas. Request copies in person, by phone, or by mail at:
Ashland County Clerk of Courts
142 W. 2nd Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Phone: (419) 282-4242
Email: clerkstaff@ashlandcounty.org
The Clerk's Legal Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Include the case number, party names, and a description of the specific documents you need. Copy fees must be paid before documents are released.
For Municipal Court civil records, contact the Municipal Court Clerk at (419) 289-8137. The court's mailing address is 1209 East Main Street, P.O. Box 385, Ashland, OH 44805.
Property Records
Real property records in Ashland County—including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and powers of attorney—are maintained by the Office of the Recorder at the Ashland County Courthouse, 142 W. 2nd Street. Search these records online through the Ashland County Recorder Online Services portal; log in as a public user and search by name or recording date. The Recorder's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and will not accept documents for recording after 3:45 p.m.
Ashland County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Ashland County are handled by two separate divisions. The Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas deals with divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, spousal support, and post-decree matters. The Juvenile Division handles custody disputes, child support, paternity, and dependency and neglect proceedings. Both divisions are at the Ashland County Courthouse, 142 W. 2nd Street, Ashland, OH 44805.
Divorce Records
Divorce and dissolution records are kept by the Clerk of Courts for the Court of Common Pleas. To get copies of divorce decrees, journal entries, or related filings, contact the Clerk's office at (419) 282-4242 or visit the courthouse in person. Online searches for domestic relations cases are available through the eAccess portal.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and records in Ashland County are maintained by the Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas—not by the Clerk of Courts or the Health Department. To get a certified copy of a marriage certificate, visit the Probate Division at the courthouse during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), or submit a completed public record copy request form by mail or email to:
ATTN: Public Records Clerk
142 West Second Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Phone: (419) 282-4216
Email: acjuvenileprobate.records@zoominternet.net
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates in Ashland County come from the Ashland County Health Department, not the courts. The department can issue certified copies for any Ohio county, with records available from 1908 onward. Each certified copy costs $25.00.
You can get these records three ways:
- In person at 1211 Claremont Avenue, Ashland, OH 44805 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Complete a request form on-site and bring a valid photo ID. Payment accepted: cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards.
- By mail using the Birth Certificate Request Form or Death Certificate Request Form. Mail the completed form with a check or money order payable to the Ashland County Health Department to the address above.
- Online through VitalChek, an independent service that charges an additional $7.00 processing fee.
Under Section 3705.23 of the Ohio Revised Code, birth and death records are open records, though confidential information—such as medical details in birth records and a decedent's Social Security number in death records—is restricted from public disclosure. For questions, contact Vital Statistics staff at (419) 282-4231.
Ashland County Probate Court Records
The Probate and Juvenile Division of the Ashland County Court of Common Pleas handles all probate matters in the county. Presided over by Judge Karen DeSanto Kellogg, this division adjudicates cases involving the administration of decedent estates, probate of wills, guardianships, conservatorships, trusteeships, civil commitments, and marriage license issuance.
Court Location and Contact
Ashland County Court of Common Pleas Probate and Juvenile Divisions
142 West Second Street
Ashland, OH 44805
| Department | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Judge/Court Administrator | (419) 282-4205 | |
| Probate Clerk | (419) 282-4209 | acprobateclerk@zoominternet.net |
| Records Requests | (419) 282-4216 | acjuvenileprobate.records@zoominternet.net |
| Juvenile Clerk | (419) 282-4205 | acjc.clerk@zoominternet.net |
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Searching Probate Records Online
The Probate Division's record search tool lets you look up case information by party name, case number, or filing date. It provides basic case details, docket entries, and filing status for probate proceedings.
Requesting Probate Record Copies
To get copies of probate court records, visit the Probate Division at the courthouse or submit a completed public record copy request form. You can mail the form to the courthouse address or email it to acjuvenileprobate.records@zoominternet.net. Include enough identifying information—such as the decedent's name, case number, or approximate filing date—to help staff locate the right file.
Probate records—including wills, estate inventories, guardian reports, and related filings—are generally public in Ashland County. However, certain records may be sealed by court order or exempt under Ohio's public records law, including adoption records, juvenile records, and documents containing confidential medical or financial information. If you need access to restricted records, you may need to demonstrate legal standing or obtain a court order.