Columbiana County Court Records Search
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Columbiana County sits on the eastern border of Ohio, bounded by Pennsylvania to the east and the Ohio River to the south, with the city of Lisbon as its county seat. The county’s court system operates through the Court of Common Pleas — which includes a General Division, a Domestic Relations Division, a Juvenile Division, and a Probate Division — along with the Columbiana County Municipal Court and the East Liverpool Municipal Court. The Columbiana County Clerk of Courts maintains records for both the Common Pleas and Municipal Courts and serves as the primary point of contact for the public seeking court documents.
Ohio court records can be accessed through several channels, including clerk of courts offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and various online case search tools. For Columbiana County, the Clerk of Courts provides a dedicated online case management system, and OhioCourts.us may help users locate publicly available court case information across the state. Statewide resources from the Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio Attorney General’s office also offer guidance on records access and background check procedures.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Columbiana County?
The most direct way to find a Columbiana County court case is through the Clerk of Courts’ Case Access website. This platform covers the Common Pleas Court (all divisions) and the Municipal Court, and allows searches using several parameters:
- Party name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Warrant number
- Driver’s license number
Common Pleas Court records prior to March 1993 and Columbiana County Municipal Court records prior to March 1996 are not available online and must be obtained directly from the Clerk’s office. By local court rule, certain information is withheld from the online display due to federal privacy requirements.
In-Person Requests
Individuals can visit any of the following locations during business hours to inspect or request copies of court records:
Common Pleas Court / Clerk of Courts
Address: 105 South Market Street, Lisbon, OH 44432
Phone: (330) 424-7777
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Columbiana County Municipal Court
Address: 38832 Saltwell Road, Lisbon, OH 44432
Phone: (330) 424-5326
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
East Liverpool Municipal Court
Address: 126 West 6th Street, East Liverpool, OH 43920
Phone: (330) 385-5151
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Note: The City of East Liverpool has indicated that the East Liverpool Municipal Court is closed and that inquiries should be directed to the Columbiana County Municipal Court at 38832 Saltwell Road, Lisbon, OH 44432, Phone: (330) 424-5326 Requesters should confirm current status before visiting.
Mail Requests
Written requests can be mailed to the Clerk of Courts at P.O. Box 349, Lisbon, OH 44432. Include the case number or party names, specify the documents needed, and enclose the applicable fees. Faxed pleadings are not accepted by the Common Pleas Court.
Additional Court Contact Numbers
| Office | Phone: (area code 330) |
|---|---|
| Probate Court | 424-9516 |
| Juvenile Court | 424-4071 |
| Sheriff’s Office — Administrative | 424-1104 |
| Sheriff’s Office — Civil Division | 424-9519 |
| Columbiana County Jail | 424-4065 |
| Prosecutor’s Office | 420-0140 |
| Recorder’s Office | 424-9517 |
| Auditor’s Office | 424-9515 |
Are Court Records Public in Columbiana County?
Court records in Columbiana County are classified as public records under the Ohio Public Records Act, codified at Ohio Revised Code § 149.43. This statute requires that public records be made available for inspection and copying to any person upon request. The Ohio Attorney General’s office provides additional guidance on the scope and enforcement of the Act.
While the presumption of openness is broad, certain records are exempt from public disclosure or subject to restricted access. Categories of restricted court records in Columbiana County include:
- Sealed and expunged records — Criminal records that have been sealed by court order or expunged under Ohio law are no longer available for public inspection.
- Juvenile proceedings — Records from the Juvenile Division of the Court of Common Pleas are generally confidential under Ohio law.
- Adoption records — Finalized adoption case files are sealed.
- Grand jury proceedings — The deliberations and records of the grand jury are not subject to public disclosure.
- Mental health and competency records — Documents relating to involuntary commitment or competency evaluations may be restricted.
- Domestic violence victim information — Identifying details of victims may be redacted from publicly available files.
- Sensitive personal data — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other protected identifiers are redacted from records before release.
When a public record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the Clerk’s office is required to redact the exempt portions and provide the remainder. Individuals seeking access to sealed or restricted records must obtain a court order.
Columbiana County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Columbiana County are prosecuted at two levels. The General Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles all felony indictments returned by the grand jury, along with certain misdemeanors. The Municipal Court handles misdemeanor charges where the potential sentence does not exceed six months’ incarceration or a $1,000 fine, as well as traffic offenses including DUI and reckless operation.
How to Search Criminal Records
- Online — Use the Clerk’s Case Access portal to search Common Pleas criminal records (from March 1993 forward) and Municipal Court criminal records (from March 1996 forward) by name, case number, or warrant number.
- In person — Visit the Clerk’s office at 105 South Market Street, Lisbon, during business hours to request paper files or use on-site resources.
- By mail — Send a written request with sufficient identifying information and the applicable fee to the Clerk’s mailing address.
Criminal Division Functions
The Common Pleas Criminal Division initiates case files upon grand jury indictment, issues arrest warrants or summonses, processes bail bonds, manages arraignment dockets, assigns judges to cases, and reports convictions to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI&I). The division also transmits driver’s license suspensions to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and collects all costs, fines, and restitution.
Sheriff’s Office Records
The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and jail inmate records. The Administrative and Civil Office can be reached at (330) 424-9519, and the administrative offices at (330) 424-1104. The County Jail is located at 8473 County Home Road, Lisbon, OH 44432, Phone: (330) 424-4065
Statewide Background Checks
For an Ohio criminal history search, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) under the Ohio Attorney General processes fingerprint-based background checks. A BCI check costs approximately $37.70, and a combined BCI/FBI check costs approximately $61.70. Fingerprinting services are available through various authorized locations across the state.
Columbiana County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Columbiana County are split between the Common Pleas Court and the Municipal Court based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
Common Pleas Court — Civil Division
The General Division of the Court of Common Pleas hears administrative appeals, foreclosures, personal injury suits, garnishments, and other civil actions without a specific dollar-amount ceiling. The Clerk is responsible for initiating and maintaining all case files, collecting and distributing filing fees and costs, and managing jury selection for both petit and grand juries. Faxed pleadings are not accepted — all filings must be mailed or presented in person at 105 South Market Street, Lisbon, OH 44432.
Municipal Court — Civil Division
The Municipal Court Civil Division handles cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed $15,000, including landlord-tenant disputes, evictions, rent escrows, garnishments, and BMV appeals. Small claims (under $6,000) can also be filed in this division, and the Clerk’s office provides the necessary forms. The Municipal Court is located at 38832 Saltwell Road, Lisbon, OH 44432, and is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records can be searched through the Case Access portal using name, case number, or other available criteria. Records predating March 1993 (Common Pleas) or March 1996 (Municipal) are available only at the Clerk’s physical office. Copy fees and filing fees are assessed per the applicable fee schedule; contact the Clerk’s office at (330) 424-7777 for current rates.
Property Records
Court records affecting real property — such as foreclosures, judgments, and liens — are maintained by the Clerk of Courts. Deeds, mortgages, and easements are recorded separately by the Columbiana County Recorder’s Office at 105 South Market Street, Lisbon, OH 44432, Phone: (330) 424-9517, open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. The Recorder’s website includes a search index for looking up recorded documents. Property valuations and ownership data are available through the Columbiana County Auditor’s real estate search tool.
Columbiana County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Columbiana County are adjudicated by two divisions of the Court of Common Pleas: the Domestic Relations Division for adult family matters, and the Juvenile Division for cases involving minors.
Domestic Relations Division
The Domestic Relations Division hears all cases involving divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and non-criminal domestic violence. Child custody, visitation, and child and spousal support disputes also fall under this division’s jurisdiction. The clerks initiate and maintain case files and collect all filing fees and costs. Assistance is available for completing petitions for civil protection orders. Local rules require court approval before filing a petition for dissolution; details on local procedures are available through the Columbiana County Law Library.
The Domestic Relations Division is located at 105 South Market Street, Lisbon, OH 44432. Business hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. The Child Support Enforcement Agency can be reached at (330) 424-1479.
Juvenile Division
The Juvenile Court operates out of the Charles A. Pike Juvenile Court Center at 260 West Lincoln Way, Lisbon, OH 44432, Phone: (330) 424-4071, Fax: (330) 424-6670 Business hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Juvenile records are generally confidential under Ohio law and are not available for public inspection without a court order.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Columbiana County are issued by the Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Applications are processed by appointment only. To apply:
- Download the Marriage License Application from the Clerk’s website.
- Complete the form in blue or black ink. Both applicants must sign.
- Include copies of photo ID, proof of current address, Social Security cards, and (if previously married) a certified copy of the final divorce decree or death certificate.
- Submit the package with a $55.00 cashier’s check or money order payable to “Columbiana County Probate Court” — no personal checks or cash. Mail to: Columbiana County Probate Court, 105 S. Market Street, Lisbon, Ohio 44432.
- Both applicants must appear at the scheduled appointment with photo ID to complete the process under oath.
The license is valid for 60 days from issuance. Certified copies of marriage records cost $2.00 each and can be obtained from the Probate Court. Online access to marriage records is also available through the Case Access portal under the Probate Court link.
Birth and Death Records
The Columbiana County Health Department issues certified birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Ohio from 1908 to the present. The cost is $27.00 per certified copy, with an additional $1.00 processing fee per certificate for mail-in and VitalChek orders (effective March 1, 2025). Records can be obtained:
- Walk-in: At the Health Department office, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. No credit/debit cards or out-of-state checks accepted.
- Online: Through VitalChek ($27.00 plus a $7.00 processing fee; overnight shipping available for $19.00).
- Mail: Send a completed application form with a cashier’s check or money order for $27.00 (plus $1.00 processing fee) payable to Columbiana County Health District. Mail to the Health Department office.
Death certificates issued within five years of the decedent’s death will not include the Social Security number unless the requester is among the qualified individuals listed in ORC 3705.23(5) and provides satisfactory proof of identity. Records prior to 1908 can be obtained from the Columbiana County Probate Court, the Ohio History Connection at (800) 686-6124, or the Ohio Department of Health.
Columbiana County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles estate administration, will filings, guardianship and conservatorship appointments, trust matters, adoptions, name changes, and marriage license applications. The Probate Court is located at 105 South Market Street, Lisbon, OH 44432, and can be reached at (330) 424-9516. Business hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Probate Court Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Full administration (executor/administrator appointment, includes forms) | $202.00 |
| Release of estate from administration | Contact Clerk |
| Probate will only, with no appointments | $87.00 |
| File will only (no probate, no appointments) | $67.00 |
| Guardian of an incompetent person | $200.00 |
| Guardian of a minor | $125.00 |
| Testamentary trustee appointment | $96.00 |
| Civil complaint (land sale, heirship, declaratory judgment, etc.) | $61.00 |
| Application with publication | $150.00 deposit |
| Adoption (per child) | $200.00 |
| Adoption publication (per child) | $150.00 deposit |
| Ancillary administration | $202.00 deposit |
| Minor’s settlement | $52.00 |
| Minor’s settlement with guardianship | $180.00 |
| Change of name | $87.00 |
| Release of adoption information | $20.00 |
| Summary release | $173.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage record | $2.00 |
| Jury trial request | $500.00 |
Exemplified copies are charged at $1.00 per page in addition to the base fee.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched online through the Case Access platform by selecting the Probate Court link. Searches can be conducted by party name or case number. For records not available online, contact the Probate Division by phone at (330) 424-9516 or visit the courthouse in person.
Certain probate records contain sensitive information. Adoption files are sealed upon finalization, and guardianship records may include confidential medical or financial details that require court authorization to access. Estate administration records — including inventories, accountings, and final distributions — are generally available for public inspection once filed with the court. The Ohio Public Records Act governs access to all records maintained by the Probate Division, and the Clerk’s office will redact exempt information before releasing documents.