Cuyahoga 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.
Cuyahoga County, home to Cleveland and one of Ohio's most populous counties, runs one of the largest court systems in the state. The Court of Common Pleas — the county's main trial court — is organized into four divisions: General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate. A network of municipal courts also serves cities and townships across the county. The Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts and the various divisional clerks maintain the records that flow from all of these proceedings, covering everything from felony criminal trials and civil disputes to estate administration and divorce cases.
If you need to find court records, you have a few routes to consider. Cases can be searched through official court docket systems, viewed at clerk offices and public terminals, or pulled through online portals. For publicly available case information across Ohio, OhioCourts.us is one resource that can help you locate Cuyahoga County records alongside the official tools described in this guide.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cuyahoga County?
Start with the Case Records Search System maintained by the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts. This portal covers cases filed in the Common Pleas General Division, Domestic Relations Division, and related court filings. You can search by case number, party name, or case type.
Available Search Categories
| Search Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Civil/Domestic Search by Case | Retrieve a specific civil or domestic case by case number |
| Civil/Domestic Search by Name | Find civil or domestic cases by party name |
| Foreclosure Search | Search foreclosure case filings |
| Criminal Search by Case | Retrieve a specific criminal case by case number |
| Criminal Search by Name | Find criminal cases by defendant name |
| Submitted eFiling Complaints | View electronically filed complaints |
In-Person and Phone Access
If a case isn't fully accessible online, or you need official certified copies, you can visit the Clerk of Courts in person or call the docket information line:
Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts
Address: Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
Docket Information Line: (216) 443-7974
Criminal Division: (216) 443-7999 | (216) 698-3063
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Probate cases are handled separately — the Probate Court maintains its own online docket and index search, and the Juvenile Court keeps its own records through its divisional clerk's office.
Are Court Records Public in Cuyahoga County?
Ohio's Public Records Act, Ohio Revised Code 149.43, gives anyone the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by government offices, including courts. The Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts follows this law — all records of the Clerk's office are generally public unless specifically exempt under Ohio or federal law.
Common Exemptions and Restrictions
Several categories of court records are sealed, restricted, or subject to redaction:
- Juvenile court records, which are generally confidential under Ohio law
- Records subject to a sealing or expungement order
- Ongoing criminal investigation materials
- Certain domestic violence victim information
- Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personal identifiers, which must be redacted from publicly accessible documents
- Grand jury proceedings and related materials
- Records sealed by court order in civil matters
Under ORC 2303.20(Z), copies of public records containing 33 pages or fewer are provided at no charge. For records exceeding 33 pages, the fee is $0.03 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page, including the certificate and seal. If you're requesting records that may be sealed or restricted, contact the Clerk's office directly to find out about eligibility and procedures.
Cuyahoga County Criminal Court Records
Court Jurisdiction
The General Division of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas handles original jurisdiction over all felony criminal cases in the county. Misdemeanor criminal matters and traffic offenses go to the county's various municipal courts.
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Address: 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Phone: (General): (216) 443-8560
Phone: (Criminal Records): (216) 443-8660
Phone: (Clerk of Courts Criminal): (216) 443-7999
Searching Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal case records can be searched by name or case number through the Clerk of Courts Case Records Search System. The docket information line at (216) 443-7974 can also give you case status updates by phone. Physical copies of criminal case documents are available at the Clerk's Criminal Division, located at the Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street, 2nd Floor, Cleveland, OH 44113.
Copy fees follow the schedule above: no charge for 33 pages or fewer; $0.03 per page beyond 33 pages; and $1.00 per page for certified copies including seal and certificate.
Sheriff's Office Criminal Records
The Records Division of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and provides criminal background check services.
Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office
Address: 1215 West 3rd Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Phone: (216) 443-6000
Email: shcuy@cuyahogacounty.gov
A simple Cuyahoga County record check costs $10.00 and is available only in person at the Records/Warrants Division. You'll need to bring documentation showing the purpose of the background check request. For broader statewide criminal history searches — including fingerprint-based checks for employment or licensing — the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) administers that program through the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
Cuyahoga County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Cuyahoga County land in one of two courts depending on what's being disputed. The Common Pleas General Division hears general civil cases, including unlimited civil actions, real estate and boundary disputes, complex commercial litigation, civil equity matters, and appeals from administrative agencies. The county's municipal courts take on smaller civil claims, evictions, and civil matters within their city or township boundaries.
Requesting Civil Court Records
The Clerk of Courts Case Records Search System lets you search civil cases online for free by case number or party name. In-person access is available at the Justice Center during regular business hours. When requesting copies, have this information ready:
- Full names of all parties to the case
- Case number, if known
- Specific document(s) requested (e.g., complaint, judgment entry, motion)
- Whether you need a regular or certified copy
Mail requests can be sent to:
Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts
Address: Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: (216) 443-7974
For small claims and limited civil matters handled by municipal courts, contact the specific municipal court where the case was filed. Cuyahoga County is served by municipal courts in Cleveland, Lakewood, Parma, Cleveland Heights, Bedford, and other cities throughout the county — each keeps its own case records and docket systems.
Cuyahoga County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Cuyahoga County are split between two divisions of the Court of Common Pleas — the Domestic Relations Division and the Juvenile Division — depending on the parties and the issues involved.
Domestic Relations Division
The Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court handles divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, spousal support, child custody and visitation, child support, and domestic violence civil protection orders. It sits in the Justice Center alongside the General Division.
Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court
Address: 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Phone: (Administrative Office): (216) 443-8820
Phone: (Assignment & Scheduling): (216) 443-8801
Phone: (Representing Yourself Help Center): (216) 443-8880
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Domestic Relations case dockets are searchable through the same Clerk of Courts Case Records Search System used for General Division cases — search by case number or party name. If you're representing yourself, the Help Center at Room 114 offers in-person assistance Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Cuyahoga County are issued by the Cuyahoga County Probate Court. The fee for a marriage license is $60.00. The Probate Court accepts cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and major credit/debit cards. Certified copies of marriage records are available through the Probate Court's Marriage Department at (216) 443-8785 or (216) 443-8895. You can also register a marriage license online through the Probate Court's marriage license registration portal.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for Cuyahoga County are available through the Cuyahoga County Board of Health's Vital Statistics office, which issues records for those born or who died in the county, as well as through the Cleveland Office of Vital Records for births registered in Cleveland. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Juvenile Division
The Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court handles cases involving minors — delinquency, unruly children, abuse and neglect, dependency, and custody matters under juvenile jurisdiction. Juvenile court records are generally confidential under Ohio law. Direct requests for juvenile records to the Juvenile Court Clerk's office.
Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court
Address: 9300 Quincy Avenue, Juvenile Justice Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Phone: (Clerk's Office): (216) 443-8400
Phone: (Detention Center): (216) 443-3300
Phone: (Warrants/Arrests): (216) 698-4720
Cuyahoga County Probate Court Records
The Cuyahoga County Probate Court oversees the administration of decedents' estates, hears disputes over wills and trusts, and supervises guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. The Court also handles adoptions, involuntary mental health commitments, name changes, and marriage license issuance.
Cuyahoga County Probate Court
Address: 1 Lakeside Avenue West, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Phone: (Clerk's Office — Costs on Existing Cases): (216) 443-8785 or (216) 443-8895
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Resource Center Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (appointment required — call (216) 443-8769)
Searching Probate Records Online
The Probate Court maintains a dedicated online docket and index search that is separate from the General Division's case search system. This portal lets you search probate case records including estate filings, guardianship petitions, and related proceedings. An e-filing system is also available if you need to submit documents directly to the Probate Court electronically.
Requesting Probate Record Copies
Certified copies of probate documents are available through the Probate Court Clerk. Each certified copy costs $2.00 for the first 20 pages; for records 20 pages or longer, the fee is $2.00 plus $0.10 per page beyond 20 pages. You can submit a public records request in writing by emailing pccpc@cuyahogacounty.us, or make the request in person at the Probate Court clerk's office.
Selected Probate Court Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage License | $60.00 |
| Marriage Ceremony (performed by Judge) | $100.00 |
| General Motion | $20.00 |
| Waiver of Partial Account | $10.00 |
For the full and current probate fee schedule, download the Probate Court Fees PDF directly from the court's website. All estate transactions are subject to applicable court costs per Ohio statute.