Ashland County Court Records Search
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Ashland County is a rural community in north-central Ohio with its county seat in the city of Ashland. The county’s court system operates through the Court of Common Pleas—which encompasses General, Domestic Relations, Probate, and Juvenile Divisions—and the Ashland Municipal Court, which serves the entire county for certain case types. Together, these courts generate a substantial collection of records that document every phase of a proceeding, from initial complaints and motions through hearings, judgments, and final dispositions. Mayor’s Courts in Loudonville and Perrysville also handle local ordinance violations.
Ohio provides several pathways for locating court records at the county level. Official clerk offices, online case search portals, and in-person courthouse visits are all available to the public. OhioCourts.us may help users identify publicly available court case information across the state. In Ashland County specifically, both the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court operate their own electronic case search systems, and the Clerk of Courts maintains physical records at the Ashland County Courthouse. The Probate and Juvenile Division runs 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 provides online, in-person, and mail-based options for locating court case records. The correct approach depends on which court handled the case.
Online Searches
Each major court in Ashland County maintains its own electronic case lookup system:
- Court of Common Pleas (General and Domestic Relations Divisions): The eAccess portal allows searches by party name, case number, or case type. Users 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 enables searches by party name, case number, or filing date for probate matters.
- Ashland Municipal Court: The Court Connect database provides access to criminal, traffic, civil, and small claims case records. Users can search by party name or case number.
In-Person Access
All Ashland County courts are located within or near the Ashland County Courthouse complex. Visitors can inspect public court records during office hours at no charge. The Clerk of Courts for the Court of Common Pleas is located 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 keeps 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, requesters may submit a completed public record copy request form 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, contact the Clerk of Courts at clerkstaff@ashlandcounty.org or (419) 282-4242. For Municipal Court records, contact the Municipal Court Clerk at (419) 289-8137.
Are Court Records Public in Ashland County?
Ohio’s Public Records Act, codified at Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code, establishes that records maintained by public offices—including courts—are generally open to the public. Any person may request to inspect or receive copies of public court records during the custodian’s regular business hours. Custodians must respond to requests within a reasonable period and may not require the requester to state a purpose for the request.
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under the statute and related provisions of 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
When a record contains both public and exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. If a request is denied, the custodian must explain the legal basis for the 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. Court copy fees are set by each clerk’s office. Requesters should confirm costs before submitting their requests.
Ashland County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Ashland County are prosecuted in 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. Mayor’s Courts in Loudonville and Perrysville hear certain local ordinance violations.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case information from the Court of Common Pleas can be searched through the eAccess case search portal by defendant name, case number, or case type. Municipal Court criminal and traffic records are searchable 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), 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. The Sheriff’s Office is located 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 required during regular hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday extended to 6:00 p.m.). Accepted payment includes exact cash, money orders, and credit/debit cards (with a $2.00 service fee per transaction). Personal checks are not accepted. Requesters must bring a valid photo ID and should 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 detained at the Ashland County Jail. This tool provides booking information on current detainees and is updated regularly.
Ashland County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Ashland County are distributed 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, while 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
The 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 accessible through the eAccess case search. Users can search by party name, case number, or case type to view docket entries and case information. Municipal Court civil and small claims records are available through the Court Connect system.
Requesting Copies
The Clerk of Courts is the custodian of civil case records from the Court of Common Pleas. Requests for copies can be made 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. Requesters should provide the case number, party names, and a description of the specific documents needed. 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 is located at 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. These records can be searched online through the Ashland County Recorder Online Services portal, where users can log in as public users and search documents 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 divided between the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas and the Juvenile Division. The Domestic Relations Division handles divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, spousal support, and related post-decree matters. The Juvenile Division addresses custody disputes, child support, paternity, and dependency and neglect proceedings.
Both divisions are located at the Ashland County Courthouse, 142 W. 2nd Street, Ashland, OH 44805.
Divorce Records
Divorce and dissolution records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts for the Court of Common Pleas. Requesters can obtain copies of divorce decrees, journal entries, and related filings by contacting the Clerk’s office at (419) 282-4242 or visiting 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 obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, requesters may 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 are issued by 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.
Records can be obtained through three methods:
- 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 provide 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 decedents’ Social Security numbers 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 offers a record search tool where the public can look up case information by party name, case number, or filing date. This tool provides basic case details, docket entries, and filing status for probate proceedings.
Requesting Probate Record Copies
To obtain copies of probate court records, requesters may visit the Probate Division at the courthouse or submit a completed public record copy request form. The form can be mailed to the courthouse address or emailed to acjuvenileprobate.records@zoominternet.net. Requests should include sufficient identifying information such as the decedent’s name, case number, or approximate filing date.
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, such as adoption records, juvenile records, and documents containing confidential medical or financial information. Requesters seeking access to restricted records may need to demonstrate legal standing or obtain a court order.