Brown County, Ohio Court Records
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Brown County, Ohio, with its county seat in Georgetown, operates a court system that spans multiple divisions and jurisdictions—from the Court of Common Pleas to the Municipal Court and a network of Mayors Courts spread across the county's incorporated villages. Records from these courts cover the full range of legal proceedings, including felony prosecutions, civil disputes, domestic relations cases, probate matters, and minor criminal offenses. Legal professionals, employers, researchers, and members of the public all rely on these records for purposes ranging from background checks to estate administration.
Ohio residents and others searching for court case information have several official options. Clerk offices, courthouse counters, online record portals, and public search tools all offer access depending on the case type. OhioCourts.us can help orient you to Ohio's judicial system, and the county-specific portals described below allow direct searches without intermediaries.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Brown County?
Two primary offices handle Brown County court records: the Clerk of Courts, which serves both the Common Pleas Court and the Municipal Court, and the Probate/Juvenile Court, which maintains its own separate records. Online search tools are available for both divisions.
Brown County Common Pleas Court Clerk of Courts
Address: 101 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-3100
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (closed legal holidays)
Brown County Municipal Court Clerk of Courts
Address: 770 Mount Orab Pike, Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-6358
Fax: (937) 378-2462
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday (closed legal holidays)
Online Record Search Options
- Brown County Clerk of Courts Records Search Portal — Searches Common Pleas Court records by name, case number, or filing and hearing date.
- Brown County Municipal Court Records Search — Covers civil, small claims, traffic, and criminal cases handled by the Municipal Court.
- Brown County Probate Court Weekly Docket — Schedules and case information for the Probate Division.
In-Person Requests
Visitors to either clerk's office can inspect case files and request copies during business hours. Bring a case number, party names, or the approximate filing date to help staff find what you need efficiently.
Mail Requests
Written requests for records may be submitted by mail to the relevant clerk's office. Include as much case-identifying information as possible and contact the office in advance to confirm applicable copy fees and accepted payment methods.
Are Court Records Public in Brown County?
Ohio's Public Records Act, codified at ORC 149.43, establishes the general rule that public records must be made available for inspection and copying upon request. Brown County court records fall under this framework, and most filed case documents are accessible to anyone without a requirement to state a purpose.
That said, several categories are specifically exempt from public access:
- Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors in delinquency, dependency, or neglect proceedings are confidential under Ohio law and not available to the general public.
- Adoption records — Adoption files, including contents maintained under ORC 3705.12–3705.14, are sealed and inaccessible without a court order.
- Sealed criminal records — Under ORC 2953.32, sealed records are removed from public access. A sealed criminal record in Ohio is not destroyed but is unavailable for public inspection; releasing a sealed record without authorization is a violation of Ohio law.
- Confidential law enforcement investigatory records — Active investigative materials that could compromise ongoing investigations are restricted.
- Certain family law information — Social Security numbers, financial account details, and some child custody specifics may be redacted from publicly accessible filings.
- Records subject to court order — Any case file sealed by judicial order is inaccessible regardless of the underlying case type.
When a request comes in, the clerk's office is required to respond within a reasonable time. Where only part of a record qualifies for exemption, the appropriate response is to provide a redacted copy rather than deny access entirely.
Brown County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Brown County are heard in the General Division of the Brown County Court of Common Pleas, which has original jurisdiction over all adult felony charges. Misdemeanor criminal cases fall under the Brown County Municipal Court, while minor criminal and ordinance matters are addressed by the various Mayors Courts operating in Georgetown, Aberdeen, Fayetteville, Higginsport, Mount Orab, Ripley, Russellville, and Sardinia.
Brown County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Address: 101 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-4101 | Fax: (937) 378-4212
Searching Criminal Records Online
The Brown County Clerk of Courts Records Search Portal allows name-based and case number searches for Common Pleas criminal filings. Municipal Court criminal records are searchable through the Municipal Court Records Search. Both portals carry a disclaimer that information reflects what is available in the clerk's system and should be verified against official court records for legal purposes.
Arrest and Custody Records
The Brown County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for operating the county jail and maintaining arrest records.
Brown County Sheriff's Office
Address: 750 Mount Orab Pike, Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-4435 | Fax: (937) 378-2039
Emergency: 911
Current inmate custody information is available through the Brown County Jail Inmate Roster, which lists individuals in custody along with basic booking details.
Criminal Record Sealing
Under ORC 2953.32, eligible individuals may petition to have certain criminal records sealed. Filing a Motion for Expungement with the Brown County Common Pleas Court requires a $100.00 deposit per Local Rule 4.9. Investigation fees collected are deposited into the Brown County Court of Common Pleas Probation Fund.
Brown County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Brown County is split by jurisdiction. The Common Pleas Court handles larger civil disputes, while the Municipal Court handles cases within its monetary limits, including small claims.
Cost Deposits for Civil Filings – Common Pleas Court (per Local Rule 4)
| Filing Type | Deposit Required |
|---|---|
| Civil action (5 defendants or fewer) | $250.00 |
| Each additional defendant over 5 | $10.00 additional |
| Counterclaim or cross-claim | $100.00 |
| Cognovit action | $55.00 |
| Service by publication (in addition to base) | $150.00 |
| Post-decree civil motions | $100.00 |
| Appeals from other tribunals | $75.00 |
| Foreclosure action | $500.00 |
| Foreclosure Order of Sale (praecipe) | $800.00 |
| Jury demand deposit | $500.00 |
| Garnishment (personal earnings) | $60.00 |
| Sealing of record (expungement petition) | $50.00 |
| Foreign subpoena | $150.00 |
A $45.00 special works fund assessment is added to every civil and criminal action filed. Foreclosure actions carry an additional $250.00 special works fund fee (Local Rule 4.7). Civil jury matters require an additional $450.00 deposit before assignment to a jury trial. Payment is accepted in cash, money order, personal check (not accepted for criminal filings), or certified check. Coins exceeding $3.00 are not accepted.
Small Claims and Municipal Civil Matters
The Brown County Municipal Court handles smaller civil claims within its jurisdictional limits. The Municipal Court's record search portal covers civil, traffic, small claims, and criminal cases filed in that court. The Municipal Court also requires a cost deposit for civil actions, with an additional $450.00 deposit required before civil cases are assigned for jury trial, per the court's local rules.
Property Records
Real estate instruments, deeds, mortgages, easements, and liens recorded in Brown County are maintained by two offices. The Brown County Recorder's Office holds official land records searchable through its Documents Search Portal.
Brown County Recorder's Office
Address: 800 Mount Orab Pike, Suite 151, Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-6478
Property tax and appraisal data, ownership histories, and parcel information are maintained by the Brown County Auditor.
Brown County Auditor's Office
Address: 800 Mount Orab Pike, Suite 181, Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-6398
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Online Search: Brown County Real Estate Search Portal
Brown County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Brown County—including divorce, dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, and legal separation—are handled by the Domestic Relations Division of the Brown County Court of Common Pleas.
Brown County Domestic Relations Court
Address: 101 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-3233
Filing Fees for Domestic Relations Actions (per Local Rule 4)
| Action Type | Filing Deposit |
|---|---|
| Divorce, alimony, or annulment (complaint) | $250.00 |
| Dissolution petition | $250.00 |
| Home investigation with children | $25.00 (additional) |
| Post-decree domestic relations motions | $100.00 |
| Modification of child support, custody, or visitation | $50.00 per petition |
| Modification of spousal support | $50.00 per petition |
Divorce records filed with the Common Pleas Court are generally accessible through the Clerk of Courts Records Search Portal. Certified copies of divorce decrees may be requested at the clerk's counter. Some information within divorce records—including Social Security numbers, financial account details, and detailed child custody arrangements—may be redacted from publicly accessible copies.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and marriage records in Brown County are maintained by the Brown County Probate Court, which also holds historical marriage records. Certified copies are available to the parties, their immediate families, and individuals with a demonstrated legal interest. All other requesters may obtain informational copies.
Brown County Probate Court (Marriage Records)
Address: 510 East State Street, Suite 1, Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-6549
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates in Brown County are issued by the Brown County Health Department. The fee for each certified vital record is $25.00. The office is located at 9116 Hamer Road, Suite 101, Georgetown, OH 45121, and can be reached at (937) 378-6892 or toll-free at (866) 867-6892. You can request records in person, by mail (money order required, no personal checks), or online through VitalChek for both birth certificates and death certificates. The Health Department maintains records from 1909 to present; for records prior to 1909, contact the Brown County Probate Court.
Under Ohio law, birth records less than 100 years old are restricted to the person named on the record (if 18 or older), parents or legal guardians, and authorized legal representatives. Death records less than 50 years old are restricted to immediate family members and authorized individuals.
Brown County Probate Court Records
The Brown County Probate and Juvenile Court holds jurisdiction over estate administration, guardianship, adoption, name changes, trusts, civil suits filed in probate, and wrongful death matters. The court also maintains all pre-1909 vital records.
Brown County Probate Court
Address: 510 East State Street, Suite 1, Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-6549 (Probate) | (937) 378-6726 (Juvenile)
Fax: (937) 378-4729
Payment: Cash, credit card (3% service fee), or money order
Probate Court Filing Fees
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estate with administration | $275.00 |
| Relieve estate from administration (with will) | $195.00 |
| Relieve estate from administration (without will) | $170.00 |
| Summary release | $122.00 |
| Summary release with vehicle | $129.00 (+$7.00 per additional vehicle) |
| Sole asset transfer estate | $150.00 |
| Re-open estate | $38.00 |
| Will for record only | $40.00 |
| Claims filed in estate (per claim) | $20.00 |
| Guardianship | $275.00 |
| Adult adoption | $320.00 |
| Minor adoption with publication | $440.00 (+$500.00 to assessor) |
| Minor adoption without publication | $340.00 (+$500.00 to assessor) |
| Adult name change | $136.00 |
| Minor name change | $136.00 |
| Civil suit | $275.00 |
| Trusts | $275.00 |
| Wrongful death | $275.00 |
Requesting Probate Records
Probate records are generally public unless sealed by court order or protected under Ohio law governing adoption and juvenile matters. To request probate documents, visit the Probate Court office in person or submit a written request by mail to 510 East State Street, Suite 1, Georgetown, OH 45121. Downloadable forms—including the Application for Appointment of Guardian of Alleged Incompetent, Application for Summary Release from Administration, Application for Change of Name of Adult, and other standard probate forms—are available on the court's official website. Additional standardized forms are available through the Supreme Court of Ohio Probate Forms library. Credit card payments for probate fees may be processed by phone at (937) 378-6549, with a 3% service fee applied.