Belmont County Court Records Search
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Belmont County, situated in eastern Ohio along the West Virginia border, has its county seat in St. Clairsville. The county’s court system processes thousands of cases annually across its Court of Common Pleas and three County Court divisions, generating records that span criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, domestic relations proceedings, and probate matters. Docket sheets, case filings, judgments, and related documents are maintained by several distinct offices, each responsible for specific record categories. Knowing which office holds a particular record — and how to request it — is the first step toward obtaining the information you need.
Court records in Ohio can be located through a combination of official clerk offices, courthouse public-access terminals, and electronic search tools. OhioCourts.us may assist users in identifying where publicly available court case information can be found across the state. In Belmont County specifically, the Clerk of Courts, the Probate Court, and the County Court divisions each maintain their own records and offer distinct online search portals, making it important to direct inquiries to the correct office based on the type of case.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Belmont County?
Belmont County offers multiple pathways for searching court records, depending on whether the case was heard in the Court of Common Pleas or one of the three County Court divisions.
Online searches for Common Pleas cases:
The Belmont County Clerk of Courts maintains docket records from 1995 to the present through its CourtView eAccess system. To search:
- Visit the Clerk of Courts website and navigate to the public record search page.
- Enter the party name, case number, or other identifying details.
- Review docket entries, case status, and filing information.
Online searches for County Court and Probate cases:
The Belmont County Court Systems website provides a separate eServices portal covering the Northern, Eastern, and Western Division courts as well as the Probate Court. Users can search by name, case type, or case number.
In-person access:
Visit the appropriate clerk’s office during business hours. The Clerk of Courts Legal Division, located on the 3rd floor of the Belmont County Courthouse, is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Mail requests:
Written requests should be sent to the custodial office and should include the subject’s name, case number, filing date, and any other relevant details. Include a check or money order for applicable copy fees, made payable to the Belmont County Clerk of Courts.
Key court locations:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Court of Common Pleas | 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 | (740) 695-2121 |
| Clerk of Courts — Legal Division | 101 West Main Street, 3rd Floor, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 | (740) 699-2169 |
| County Court — Northern Division | 52160 National Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 | (740) 676-4490 |
| County Court — Eastern Division | 52160 National Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 | (740) 499-2308 |
| County Court — Western Division | St. Clairsville, OH 43950 | (740) 695-2875 |
| Probate Court | 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 | (740) 699-2144 |
The Northern Division Court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Judge Adam Myser presides, with Scott Lloyd serving as Prosecutor.
Are Court Records Public in Belmont County?
Ohio’s Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43) establishes that records maintained by public offices — including courts — are presumptively open to any person. The Ohio Attorney General oversees compliance with the Act and provides guidance on public records obligations. Belmont County courts follow this framework, and the Clerk of Courts serves as the primary custodian for Common Pleas records.
Under ORC § 149.43(A)(1), a public office must make records available for inspection promptly and may not require the requester to state a reason for the request. Copies must be provided at cost. However, the statute provides specific exemptions for records whose disclosure could compromise individual privacy, safety, or ongoing legal proceedings.
Records exempt from public access include:
- Medical and mental health records
- DNA records and certain forensic evidence
- Trade secrets and intellectual property records
- Adoption files and related proceedings
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Juvenile case records, unless the juvenile was bound over to adult court
- Victim information in cases involving sexual assault
- Records whose release could compromise an active criminal investigation
- Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers (which must be redacted from death certificates for persons who died within the last five years unless the requester qualifies under ORC § 3705.25(5))
When a record is only partially exempt, the custodian must redact the protected portions and release the remainder. Persons denied access may file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims.
Belmont County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Belmont County are adjudicated in the Court of Common Pleas (for felonies and serious offenses) and the County Courts’ three divisions (for misdemeanors and minor offenses). The Belmont County Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal case records filed in the General Division of the Common Pleas Court, including case dockets, filings, motions, and judgment entries. County Court criminal records are accessible through the eServices portal maintained by the County Court system.
Searching criminal case records:
- Online: Use the Clerk of Courts’ CourtView eAccess system for Common Pleas criminal dockets (1995–present), or the County Courts’ eServices portal for misdemeanor and minor offense cases.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts Legal Division on the 3rd floor of the courthouse at 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, during regular business hours.
- By mail: Send a written request with the defendant’s name, case number, and other identifying details to the Clerk of Courts.
Criminal filing fees at Common Pleas (per the Clerk’s costs and fees schedule):
| Service | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Expungement | $50.00 |
| Notice of Appeal | $100.00 |
Statewide criminal background checks are handled separately through the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Individuals seeking a formal criminal history report must submit fingerprints through the WebCheck system. The process involves visiting a designated WebCheck location, completing the online WebCheck form, and providing a government-issued photo ID for fingerprint capture. BCI background check fees are approximately $37.70 for an Ohio-only check and $61.70 for a combined BCI and FBI check, though fees may vary by provider.
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office also accepts public records requests for incident reports, crash reports, and other law enforcement documents. Requests can be submitted through the Sheriff’s online form, by phone, or in person.
Belmont County Sheriff’s Office
68137 Hammond Road
St. Clairsville, OH
Phone: (740) 695-7933
Fax: (740) 695-9662
Copy fees at the Sheriff’s Office are $0.10 per single-sided black-and-white page, $0.20 per color page, and $1.00 per CD/DVD.
Belmont County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Belmont County are divided between the Court of Common Pleas and the County Courts based on the nature and amount of the claim. The Common Pleas Court handles larger civil actions including property disputes, tort claims, contract litigation, and foreclosures, while the County Courts address smaller civil matters, traffic violations, and landlord-tenant disputes.
The Belmont County Clerk of Courts maintains civil case records for the Common Pleas Court. These can be searched online through the CourtView eAccess portal or requested in person or by mail. County Court civil records are searchable through the eServices public records portal.
Civil filing fees and deposits at Common Pleas (per the Clerk’s fee schedule):
| Filing Type | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Complaint without jury demand (non-domestic, non-foreclosure) | $225.00 |
| Complaint with jury demand | $525.00 |
| Third-party complaint without jury demand | $225.00 |
| Counterclaim/cross-claim without jury demand | $225.00 |
| Answer with jury demand | $300.00 |
| Additional jury cost (due 30 days before trial) | $300.00 |
| Foreclosure complaint | $375.00 |
| Order of sale deposit | $1,000.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $225.00 |
| Post-judgment motion | $150.00 |
| Judgment debtor’s exam | $120.00 |
| Garnishment | $100.00 |
| Execution on judgment | $140.00 |
| Writ of possession | $140.00 |
| Certificate of judgment (Common Pleas or County Court) | $60.00 |
An additional $10.00 is charged for each defendant beyond the first three. All copies cost $1.00 per page. Checks should be made payable to the Belmont County Clerk of Courts. Publication costs — for service by publication in a local newspaper — require a separate deposit ($1,000 for civil complaints, $500 for divorce/dissolution).
Property records are maintained by the Belmont County Recorder’s Office, which holds deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and related land records. The Recorder’s Office is located at 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 (phone: (740) 699-2140, fax: (740) 699-2567, email: recordersoffice@co.belmont.oh.us). Property records can be searched online without registration. The Belmont County Auditor maintains assessment and tax-related property data. As of December 2024, the Recorder’s Office accepts electronic recordings (e-recordings) for both conveyance and non-conveyance documents.
Belmont County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Belmont County — including divorce, dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, alimony, and related domestic relations cases — fall under the jurisdiction of the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts maintains all records filed in these proceedings.
Divorce and dissolution records can be searched through the CourtView eAccess system by party name or case number. To request copies, visit or write to the Clerk of Courts at 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950, or contact the office at (740) 699-2169. Provide the case number, names of both parties, and the approximate filing or decree date.
Domestic relations filing fees:
| Filing Type | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Divorce/dissolution complaint | $251.00 |
| Counterclaim/cross-claim | $225.00 |
| Poverty affidavit (subject to financial investigation) | $11.00 |
Marriage records are maintained by the Belmont County Probate Court, which has issued licenses and kept marriage abstracts since 1803. The marriage license fee is $43.00 ($3.00 credit card processing fee applies). Both applicants must appear at the Probate Court with valid government-issued photo identification, birth dates, and parental birth names. If a previous marriage ended in divorce, a certified copy of the final decree is required. Licenses are valid for 60 days.
Certified copies of marriage records cost $3.00 each and can be obtained in person, by mail, or through the Probate Court’s eServices search portal. Mail requests should include the applicant’s name prior to marriage, spouse’s name, date of marriage, a current phone number, and $3.00 in cash, check, or money order. Send requests to:
Belmont County Probate Court
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 699-2144
Fax: (740) 232-1731
Email: probatecourt@co.belmont.oh.us
Birth and death records are maintained by the Belmont County Health Department. The department holds county birth records from 1908 to the present and death records from 1916 to the present (with limited records for 1908–1920). Bellaire City records (1908–2000) and Martins Ferry City records are also on file. Ohio is an open records state, so birth and death certificates can be issued to any requester, though death certificates for persons who died within the last five years must have Social Security numbers redacted unless the requester qualifies under ORC § 3705.25(5).
Certified copies cost $25.00 each. Requests can be placed online or in person at:
Belmont County Health Department
68501 Bannock Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 695-1202
Payment is accepted by cash or credit/debit card (additional processing fee applies for card transactions). Online orders are processed within two business days and require credit or debit card payment.
Belmont County Probate Court Records
The Belmont County Probate Court handles matters involving estate administration, wills, guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, and related filings. The court also has jurisdiction over delayed registrations and corrections of birth records, marriage licenses, and certain civil actions connected to estate matters.
Searching probate records:
The Probate Court maintains an online case records system through its eServices portal, where users can search by name, case number, or case type. In-person access is available at the Probate Court during business hours.
Deposit and filing fees (per the Probate Court’s published schedule):
| Filing Type | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Full estate administration / appointment of fiduciary / guardianship / conservator / adoption | $200.00 |
| Release of estate from administration without will | $125.00 |
| Civil actions / will contests / declaratory judgments | $150.00 |
| Probate of will only (with tax return) / petition for release of adoption information | $61.00 |
| Petition for name change (adult or minor) | $150.00 |
| Minor name change with publication for parent | $260.00 |
| Minor’s settlement | $50.00 |
| Summary release from administration | $100.00 |
| Summary release with will or certificate of transfer | $125.00 |
| Authenticated estate copies | $37.00 plus per-page charges |
| No-estate filing (date of death prior 10 years) | $40.00 |
| Certification of notice to Medicaid Estate Recovery | $28.00 |
| Will deposit (no estate) | $25.00 |
| Disinterment proceedings | $46.00 |
| Temporary commissioner application | $20.00 |
Court costs assessed on probate matters:
- Delayed registration of birth: $21.00
- Correction of birth: $19.00
- Certified copy of marriage records: $3.00
- All other copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified mail: $8.00
- Computer fund: $10.00
- Computerized legal research: $3.00
- Mediation: $10.00
- Publication fees: $700.00 (adoptions), $500.00 (estates)
Certain probate records carry access restrictions. Adoption files and proceedings involving mental health matters are generally sealed and accessible only by court order. Guardianship records involving minors may also be restricted. All other probate records — including estate administration files, wills admitted to probate, and guardianship records for adults — are generally public and can be viewed at the courthouse or searched through the eServices portal.
For matters not covered by the published schedule, contact the Probate Court directly at (740) 699-2144 or by email at probatecourt@co.belmont.oh.us. Forms for various probate proceedings are available through MaineProbate.net and the court’s own resources, and the court staff can provide guidance on filing requirements for specific case types.